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i     TNiVERsm'  OF  Virginia     | 
I  Studies  in  Soutueiin  Literatiie  i  "' 


ir=t4cfcs== 


CHARLES  W.  KENT,  EDITOR 
LINDEN  KENT  MEMORIAL  SCDOOL  OF  ENGLISH  LITERATURE 


S 


Neither  (he  University  nor  the  Editor  is  responsible  for  (he 
view-s  expressed  by  the  Author  of  these  Monographs 


VIRGINIA  LITERATME 

BY 

CAROL  MO.NTGOMERY  NEWMAN 


i 


.,,CrtM'i<»«^ 


Virginia    Literature 


A  DISSERTATION 


Presented  to 


ThK    FaCII-TV    (W   THK    I'.NIVERSITY    OF    VIRGINIA    AS 

A  Part  ok  the  Requirements  for  the 
Degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy 


BY 


CAROL  Montgomery  Newman 


June,  1903 


ryrHANGE. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  pamphlet  is  merely  the  skeleton  of  a  much 
larger  work,  a  Virginia  Hihlinf/rap/ti/,  for  which  the  author  has 
collected  nearly  all  the  necessjiry  material.  The  "Sketch  of  Vir- 
ginia Literature ''  here  given  wa.s  to  have  formed  the  Introduc- 
tion to  this  larger  volume;  the  present  "  Check-List  of  Virginia 
Writers"  is  simply  an  alphabetical  enumeration  of  those  authors 
whose  publi.shed  volumes  the  fuller  wort  was  to  have  catalogued 
and  described;  and  no  record  at  all  is  here  made  of  those  books 
published  in  Virginia  by  foreign  or  anonymous  writers,  of  which 
a  long  list  has  been  compiled.  But,  though  the  author  haa 
found  it  impossible  to  publish  this  complete  work  at  present,  he 
still  hopes  to  do  so  in  the  near  future.  He  therefore  earnestly 
requests  that  inaccuracies,  omission.s,  or  errors  of  any  sort  found 
in  the  present  pamphlet  by  thos<'  into  whose  hands  it  may  fall, 
will  be  brought  to  his  notice  for  correction. 

To  many  friends  throughout  the  State  the  author  owes  a 
debt  of  gratitude  for  their  encouragement  and  their  suggestions, 
but  above  all  to  Dr.  Charles  \V.  Kent,  of  the  University  of  Vir 
ginia,  whose  practical  interest  in  the  work  sinc^'  its  inception  haa 
done  most  towarrl  making  its  completion  possible. 


8141)17 


6  A   DIB8EBTATION  ON  VIRGINIA    LITEEATUKE. 

sfory  of  a  race  whose  bravery  none  has  impngued,  Tirhose  noble 
qualities  of  head  and  heart  clialleiige  the  admiration  of  the  world; 
it  breathes  the  spirit  of  a  land  whose  love  of  liberty  inspired  the 
first  jury  trial,  the  first  representative  assembly,  the  first  free- 
school,  the  first  forcible  opposition  to  foreign  tyi'anny  known  to 
the  western  world.  The  final  and  crowning  value  of  Virginia 
literature,  however,  is  its  value  not  as  mirror  or  type  but  as 
literature  alone, — as  the  artistic  expression  of  broadly  human 
interests  by  men  and  women  of  the  highest  intellectual  caste. 

Such  are  the  considerations  that  will  justify  the  future  his- 
torian of  Virginia's  literary  development  in  his  labors.  All  the 
more  will  they  justify  the  present  sketch,  which  makes  no  claim 
to  adequacy,  but  hopes  only  to  outline  in  a  general  way  the  de- 
velopment of  Viiginia  literature,  to  mark  the  peculiar  social  and 
intellectual  conditions  influencing  that  development,  and  to  note 
the  inherent  value  of  a  few  of  the  productions  themselves.  This 
discussion  may  be  faciliated  by  dividing  Virginia's  literary  history 
into  periods  and  considering  each  in  turn.     Obviously  these  are: 

The  Eakly  Colonial  Period,  dating  from  1607,  when 
Jamestown  was  founded,  to  1676,  the  year  of  Bacon's  Eebellion. 

The  Later  Colonial  Period,  extending  from  1676  to 
1760,  when  the  spirit  of  revolt  again  became  rife  in  the  land. 

The  Revolutionary  Period,  1760-1800,  the  expiration  of 
which  may  be  considered  coincident  with  the  close  of  the  century, 
since  not  till  then  was  the  new  republic  firmly  established. 

The  Period  of  Union,  1800-1850,  coveriug  the  first  half 
of  the  nineteenth  century  and  ending  among  the  murmurings  of 
coming  storm. 

The  Period  of  Division,  extending  from  1S50,  the  date  of 
the  adoption  of  the  Clay  (\)mproniise,  to  1876,  a  year  "  signal- 
ized by  the  centennial  of  our  country's  existence — by  the  peace- 
ful decision  of  the  Hayes-Tilden  contest,  the  withdrawal  of  troops 
from  Louisiana,  and  Hamptou's  election  in  South  Carolina." 

The  Peeiod  of  Reunion,  1876  to  the  present  day. 


A   DIS8EBTATION   ON  VIBOENIA   LITEBATUWL  7 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  a  consideration  of  these  periods, 
noting  in  each  instance  the  conditions  under  which  the  literature 
was  produced,  its  general  chai-acter,  and  its  more  specific  forms. 

The  Early  Colonial  Pehiod. 
(1607-1676) 

During  the  tirst  seventy  yeare  of  Virginia's  literary  history, 
environment  acted  with  more  than  ordinary  power.  The 
development  of  a  literary  spirit  was  hampered  by  various  adverse 
iigencies.  No  wonder  the  colonists  of  this  period  found  small 
time  for  writing;  think  of  the  taisk  of  nation-building  that  lay 
before  them,  the  many  stirring  scenes  through  which  they  passed 
in  this,  the  most  romantic  epoch  of  American  history.  These 
were  no  ''  piping  times  "  and  could  offer  but  little  leisure  for  the 
cultivation  of  literary  tastes.  The  growth  of  letters  was  stunted 
principally,  however,  by  the  peculiar  intellectual  and  social 
conditions  obtaining  throughout  the  colony. 

The  earliest  settlei-s  upon  the  shores  of  Virginia  brought 
with  them  the  memories  of  a  truly  merry  England,  the  Cavalier 
England  of  broad  fields  and  solitary  castles.  It  was  luxury  and 
wealth,  not  strenuous  freedom,  that  they  hoped  to  find  in  the 
new  world;  later,  a.s  settled  colonists,  they  strove  to  perpetuate, 
not  the  bustling  cities  of  their  native  laud  but  its  manorial 
estates,  rich  and  independent.  They  ultimately  succeeded  in 
their  endeavor,  and  in  their  success  lies  the  secret  of  the  literary 
iniictivity  of  their  own  and  following  generations.  Despite  legis- 
lative enactments,  the  plantation  system  prevented  the  growth 
of  towns,  and  in  those  days  of  imperfect  communication  between 
isolated  distiicts,  reduced  to  a  miiiiuiuin  tlie  contact  of  man 
with  man.  Con.sequently  the  most  important  literary  stimulant, 
the  strife  of  intellectual  powei-s,  was  largely  wanting;  there  was 
no  mental  friction  and  the  electric  spark  of  genius  remained 
unkindled.  Another  result  of  social  segregation,  aided  and 
abetted  by  governmental  opposition  to  education,  was  the  slow 
development  of  a  general  schcxjl  .system,  which,  while  it  perhaps 
worked  no  great  injury  upon  the  higher  classes,  who  were  not 
dependent  upon  native  schools,  prevented  the  lower  strata  from 


8  A   DI88EHTATI0N   ON  VIKGINIA    LITERATUEE. 

being  permeated  by  any  love  of  learning.  Thanks,  too,  to 
Governor  Berkeley,  there  was  during  this  period  not  even  a 
printing-press  in  Virginia,  consequently  no  local  publishing 
house  to  offer  encouragement  to  literary  activity.  Finally,  it 
should  be  remembered  that  the  early  Virginia  settlers  had  no 
peculiar  religious  or  political  tenets,  the  maintenance  of  which 
required  the  nuilti])iication  of  aggressive  tracts,  pamphlets,  and 
Kermons. 

Such  literature,  however,  as  was  produced  during  these 
early  colonial  days,  notwithstanding  obstacles,  possesses  a  unique 
interest.  Without  exception  the  authoi-s  are  Englishmen  trans- 
planted to  Virginia  soil,  and  while  we  may  claim  them  by  virtue 
of  adoption,  they  belong  equally  to  England  by  right  of  birth. 
With  but  a  single  exc-epliou  the  literature  of  this  jjeriod  is  uncon- 
scious literature;  its  object  wax  quite  other  than  to  secure  literary 
fame  for  its  composers.  The  primitive  settlers  upon  the  Powhatan 
found  themselves  in  the  midst  of  "earth's  only  paradise"  sur- 
rounded by  fair  fields  and  primeval  forests,  sung  to  by  strange 
birds  and  chainied  by  the  fragrance  of  unwonted  flowers,  alter- 
nately ministered  to  and  menaced  by  dusky  savages  of  unknown 
lineage.  If  the  mnltilold  impressions  made  upon  their  receptive 
minds  found  written  expression,  it  was  that  their  brethren  at 
home  might  be  told  of  this  new  world  and  the  journey  to  it;  or 
that  detractors  might  be  .silenced  and  meddlers  admonished. 
Consequently,  almo.st  all  the  writings  of  this  period  belong  to  the 
same  department  of  liteiatu re,  namely  the  historical.  Here  we 
have  a  naive  nari'ative  of  exploration  or  travel,  there  a  vigorous 
description  of  natives  or  nature,  but  the  essential  historic  quality 
remains.  Not  ordinary  history  this,  indeed,  for  it  is  penned  by 
those  who  have  been  actors  in  tlie  events  of  which  they  write, 
whose  knowledge  comes  at  first  hand,  who  do  not  stop  to  theor- 
ize but  deliver  a  plain  unvarnished  tale.  To  be  sure,  poeti-y. 
also,  is  written  in  Virginia  during  these  years,  but  poetry  is  an  ex- 
otic transplanted  from  other  shores,  .soon  to  withei'  and  die;  his- 
tory is  of  native  growth  and  posses.ses  all  (he  vigoi-  of  the  .soil 
from  which  it  springs. 

Foremost  among  the  historians  in  both  time  and  importance 
stands  the  redoubtable  Captain  John  Smith,  the  real  father  of 


A    DISSERTATION    ON    VIRfilNIA    I.lTF.RATrRE.  fl 

Ainericaii  liistoiv.  Essciili;illy;i  man  of  iulioii,  lu-  was  yet  of  ihai 
iiuuiy  sided  typt',  tlic  jilmy  of  the  Klizahctliaii  Ajjc.  and  mil  the 
least  of  his accom))lisliiiun1sw:Ls flic  ]Ki\vtM  to  write  virile  English. 
Only  two  of  Smith's  many  Ituoks  wi  re  wiitten  during  hi«  event- 
ful eareei-  in  Vii};inia,  hut  the  "True  Relation"  and  "  (Jeiienil 
History  of  Vii<,'inia,  Now  Enfjiand,  and  tlie  Summer  Isles"  are 
iei)resentati\e  as  to  both  merits  and  demerits.  His  hi.stories 
l>os.se><s  many  positive  charms:  vignv  and  eaitiestne.ss  chai'acteri/e 
every  statement;  felicitous  i)hi-a.si'olo>;y  ai)onnds;  the  ita;;c  is 
adoined  now  by  a  flash  of  quaint  humor,  now  l)y  a  touch  of  rare 
imaj^inative  beatity.  This  earliest  of  our  wi'itcrs,  moreover,  pos- 
sessed remarkable  po Wei's  of  observation  and  reproduction;  he 
paints  his  vivid  pictures  with  a  few  deft  strokes.  What,  then, 
if  his  literary  .style  be  .somewhat  rude,  his  sentences  misshapen  T 
This  style  but  brings  us  nearer  to  the  noble  soldiei-  as  he  sits 
within  his  tent  and  i)ens  tlie.se  ]>ages.  His  ear  alertly  listening; 
for  the  whi.stle  of  a  death-laden  arrow,  is  not  strictly  attentive 
to  the  reqnii'ements  of  rhetorical  melody  of  jihra.se;  his  hand, 
fre.sh  from  graspinj;  theswoid-hilt,  handles  the  pen  but  clumsily. 
Nor  would  we  have  it  otlierwi.se,  for  more  correct  writing  woultl 
be  less  natuial.  We  need  feel  no  shame  in  pointing  back  to  the 
rugged  literary  i)roductions  of  this  e(|nally  rugged  advenlurei-,  for 
America  could  have  had  no  tinner  foundation  on  which  to  rear 
a  great  and  permanent  literature. 

Of  other  Virginia  historians  but  pa.ssiiig  iiM-ntion  need  here 
1k'  made.  George  Percy,  biother  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland 
and  .secretary  of  the  colony.  pul)lished  in  l(i()7  his  "Discoui-se  of 
Virginia,"  a  collection  of  '•  graphic  sketi-hes  of  brightness  and 
gloom,"  sket<'hes  full  of  life,  not  vague  or  .soft«-ne<l  but  distinct 
in  their  primitive  coloring.  Anotlieisecrctary,\Villiaiii  SIrachey. 
wrecked  on  the  Bermudas  in  company  with  Sir 'i'homas  (Jates, 
made  that  misfortune  the  subject  of  a  narrative  which,  in  all  its 
majestic  vigor,  was  well  worthy  the  honor  of  suggesting  to 
Shakespeare  the  shi])Wi-eck  scene  in  "  The  Tern i)es1."  Str;ictir\ 
was  also  the  author  of  a  "History  of  Tiiivaile  into  Virginia 
Hrilannia,"  and  by  his  collection  of  '•  Lawes  Divine,  Monill,  and 
Martiall,"  enrolls  himself  ius  the  first    Aineriean  contributor  tu 


10  A   DISSKRTATION   ON  VIRGINIA   LITERATURE. 

the  literature  of  the  law.  The  first  American  theologian  was 
Alexander  Whitakt-r,  the  "apostle  of  Virginia,"  whose  kind 
and  gentle  pity,  earnest  self-forgetfuhies-s,  and  unshaken  belief 
in  divine  gnidance  are  made  nnvnifested  in  his  "Good  Newes  from 
Virginia"  (1G1.3),  thebnrden  whereof  is  a  strong  and  scholarly 
plea  for  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  In  character  quite 
different  from  the  saintly  Wliitaker  w:us  John  Pory,  a  convivial 
roisterer  fresh  from  the  si)onging-houses  of  England.  He  was, 
however,  a  man  of  marked  literary  ability,  which  had  already 
been  made  known  to  the  world  through  his  translation  of  Leo's 
"  History  of  Africa,"  and  which  is  further  shown  in  his  sprightly 
and  pleasing  contributions  to  Smith's  "  General  History."  The 
name  of  Raphe  Hannir  closes  the  list  of  the  leading  early 
Virginia  historians,  and  his  "True  Discourse  of  the  Present 
Estate  of  Virginia"  (1615)  gives  us  not  the  least  vivid  of  our 
several  pictures  of  the  infant  colony. 

After  the  efllorescence  of  the  first  decade  the  flowers  of  his- 
toric literature  seem  not  to  have  flourished  on  Virginia  soil. 
The  first  wonder  of  arrival  has  now  worn  ofl";  the  difficulties  of 
colonization  present  them.selves  with  dreadful  earnestness.  We 
need  not  be  suprised,  therefore,  that  there  ensues  a  literary  sil- 
ence lasting  for  some  thirty  years  and  broken  only  by  the  pub- 
lication of  occasional  anonymous  accounts  of  the  progress  of  the 
Virginia  colony,  presumably  by  Virginians.  Sir  William  Berke- 
ley, indeed,  who  became  governor  in  1641,  bronglit  with  him 
some  literary  reputation  lus  the  author  of  "The  Lost  Lady:  u 
Tragi -Comedy,"  but  in  his  new  domain  neither  wrote  himself  nor 
encouraged  such  activity  in  others.  On  the  contrary,  his 
policy  of  intellectual  repression,  well  illu.strated  by  his  famous 
boast,  worked  untold  evil  in  hindering  the  production  of  an 
indigenous  literature. 

In  1649,  however,  Colonel  Norwood,  a  Royalist  refugee  and 
kinsman  of  Berkeley,  published  a  stirring  account  of  his  voyage 
to  Virginia,  his  shipwreck  off  Hatt^'ras,  his  desertion  with  a 
party  of  friends  on  an  uninhabited  island,  liis  rescue  by  friendly 
Indians,  and  his  final  Journey  of  triumi)li  tlirough  the  colony. 
This  story  is  of  the  true  Elizabethan  mould,  fresh  and  virile 


A   DIS8ESTATION   ON    VIROI>fTA    LITEKATUKE.  11 

rising  to  occasional  I'lcxiiU'iice,  cbaracterizt'd  tliroiighout  by  re- 
markable ajitiiess  of  t'x]»ri'.ssi()ii.  L«'ss  polished  but  oqiially  vig- 
orous is  the  English  of  John  Ilaniiuoiid,  who  tells  for  us  iu  his 
"Leah  aud  liachel  "  (lGr)(j)  the  story  of  the  "two  fruitfull  sis- 
ters, Virginia  and  Maryland."  llaniiuond  is  a  delightful  en- 
thusiast, and  when  we  have  linished  reading  liis  glowing  and  ev- 
idently sincere  sketches  of  life  in  a  virgin  land,  we  fwl  iu- 
cliued  to  agree  with  him  that  "  those  that  shall  blemish  Virginia 
any  more,  do  but  like  the  dog,  bark  against  the  moon." 

The  bloodily  eventful  year  marking  the  clos^-  of  the  fi ret  era 
in  Virginia  literature,  brought  with  it  a  collection  of  narratives 
that  disclose  a  complete  change  of  literary  fashion.  The.se  pamph- 
lets are:  "The  Beginning,  Progi'e.«s  and  Conclusion  of  Bacon's 
Ret)ellion,"'  by  an  author  signing  himself  T.  M. ;  "  An  Account  of 
Our  Late  Troubles  in  Virginia,  written  in  1G7(>  by  JIi-s.  Au. 
Cotton  of  Q.  Creek;''  aud  ''  A  Narrative  of  the  Indian  and  Civil 
Wars  in  Virginia  in  the  years  1G75  and  1G7G,"  by  .some  un- 
known writer.  Though  still  giaphic  and  at  times  pictures«iue 
— for  the  freshness  of  the  new  country  has  not  altogether  lost  its 
power  over  intellect  and  imagination — they  are  oftener  tainted 
by  an  affectation  of  .style,  an  employment  of(|uaint  conceits,  a 
straining  after  humorous  efl'ects,  copied  from  the  literary  manner- 
isms of  Caroline  England.  Henceforth  the  literature  of  Virginia 
is  to  t)e  more  conscious  of  it.>ielf  and  more  conscious  in  its  imita- 
tation  of  English  models. 

The  poetry  produceil  in  Virginia  during  the  seventeenth 
century,  though  of  limite<l  quantity,  iu  (luality  ri.ses  far  above 
the  average  c(Mnmon  to  tlie  versiliei-s  of  the  same  day  in  New 
England,  who  made  those  rockbouud  coiusts  echo  with  tlie 
most  uninsi>ired  strains  that  even  the  partial  critic  has  ever  been 
able  to  call  literature.  Well  nniy  we  be  thankful  that,  if  tlie 
early  Virginians  could  not  write  jioetry,  they  were  at  least 
con.scions  of  their  own  limitations. 

K.  Rich,  "a  .soldier  blunt  and  plain,"  was  the  lirst  xersilier 
of  the  colony.  In  Iiilo  he  published  in  London  his  "  Newes 
from  Virginia,''  a  iiix-ni  of  unexpected  merit  and  unusual  Jluency, 
whei'ein  is  contained  a  rhjnied  chronicle  of  the  wreck  of  Gati'S 
uud  Newport,   their  trials  in  the     •  B<M-moothawe.s,"    aud  their 


12  A   DISSERTATION  ON  VIKGINIA  LITERATUEE. 

final  arrival  at  Jamestown.  The  poem  closes  with  a  description 
of  Virginia,  a  statement  of  the  objects  of  the  phmtatiou,  and  a 
summary  "f  the  inducements  offered  to  those  that  purpose 
"thitlier  to  rei)aire.''  Tliere  is  a  note  of  noble  confidence  in 
such  a  stanza  as  this,  whicii  bears  the  Goxcrnor's  message  to 
Englishmen: 

"  And  to  th'  adventureis  thus  he  writes,  be  not  dismay'd  at  all 
For  scandal]  cannot  doe  us  wrong,  God  will  no(  k-t  us  fall. 
Let  England  know  our  williMgne.s.s.  for  that  our  work  is  goode: 
Wee  hope  to  i)lant  a  nation  whei'e  none  before  hath  stood." 

To  George  Sandys,  howexer,  is  geuerally  conceded  the  honor 
of  having  been  the  fir.sl  American  songstei"  certainly  he  was  the 
first  professional  poet  in  the  new  land.  It  was  on  the  lonely 
banks  of  the  James,  amid  all  the  liorrors  incident  to  and  conse- 
quent upon  the  great  Indian  ma.ssacre,  that  this  Oxford  graduate 
aud  colonial  secretary  transUited  ten  books  of  Ovid's  "Metamoi-- 
phoses,"  and  thereby  added  new  lustre  tea  literary  fame  already 
bright.  Contemporaries  lauded  this  poetic  ofl'ering  from  the 
western  continent,  and  such  critics  as  Dryden,  FuUer.  and  Poi)e 
in  after  yeai's  sang  its  praises  in  the  highest  terms.  "  It  is  a 
work,"  says  Tylei-,  "tliat  we  may  be  proud  to  claim  iis  in  some 
sense  ours,  and  to  honor  as  the  morning-star  at  once  of  poetry 
and  scholarship  in  the  new  world."  Well  might  Virginia,  in 
particular,  be  proud,  were  this  morning  star  but  i)rophetic  of 
the  coming  dawn.  Alas,  for  more  than  a  century  and  a  lialf  it 
shines  upon  the  literary  horizon  of  Virginia  almost  alone. 

Though  versatile  Captain  Smith  indited  a  poem  of  some 
merit,  and  one  Jolm  Grave  sang  a  ''Song  of  Zion,  "  the  only 
other  poet  of  the  jjcriod  under  consideration  deserving  men- 
tion is  of  unknown  identity.  His  threnody  on  the  death  of  Bacon 
found  among  flu!  ••  Burwell  Papers,"  is  perhaps  the  most  re- 
markable literaiy  i)roduction  of  the  period.  Throbbing  with 
emotion,  breathing  a  genuine  eloquence  of  grief,  it  might  well  be 
a  fragment  from  s(nne  Elizabethan  drama:  undoubtedly  it  is  the 
best  original  i)oem  i)roduced  in  America  ilnring  the  seventeenth 
century,  and  thi-.  only  one  W(jrthy  of  comparison  in  point  of  in- 
herent poetical  value  with  the  ti-anslations  of  Sandys. 


a  di88ertation  on  viecinia  literature.  13 

The  Later  (Jolonial  Pekiod. 
(l«7fi-1760) 

r)iiriii;;  llic  last  (|(iiirtcr  of  the  s«'Vt'iitc»'iilh  (•cutiiiy  tlic  un- 
settled state  of  aH'airs  iu  Virginia  was  <lestnielive  of  alliitera- 
tui-e.  Berkeley's  passion  for  venjceance  iiin)n  tlie  rebels  burnt 
itself  out  in  time,  but  executions  only  gave  place  to  extortions, 
and  for  many  yeai-s  Viiginians  needed  all  their  wit«  to  protect 
themselves  tVoni  the  rapaeity  of  royal  governors.  There  are 
troubles  of  chui-eh,  of  commerce,  of  state;  not  till  the  turning  of 
the  eeutury  does  the  colonial  ]>laiiter  feel  himself  safe  in  the  en- 
joynu'iit  of  the  ea.se  that  is  Justly  his.  Though  little  writing  is 
done  between  the  years  IGTti  and  1700,  we  are  encouraged  as  to 
the  future  by  such  intellectual  indications  as  the  pre.seiue  of  the 
lirst  i>rintingpre.ss  in  the  colony  (KiSI),  and  the  establishment 
nf  the  college  of  William  and  Mary  (l(j!>3). 

With  the  eighteenth  century,  however,  comes  a  eiiange  of 
conditions.  Its  tii-st  fifty  years  have  l)een  called  the  golden  age 
of  Virginia.  A  charming  age,  to  lie  sure,  with  its  lordly  mamu- 
houses  and  tertile  plantations,  its  baronial  planters  in  all  their 
glory  of  frills  and  furbelow.s,  l)ut  not  an  age  of  remarkable  liter- 
ary brilliance.  Hooks  a le  written,  indeed,  but  not  in  Knglish,  or 
even  New  English,  jirofusion.  This  literary  dearth  again  finds 
explanation  in  tho.se  peculiarities  of  colonial  life  so  inimical  to 
letters. 

The  unfavorable  characteri.stics  of  social  life  in  Virginia  are 
now  more  marked  than  than  ever.  The  M)urge.s.ses  have  con 
.structed  towns  on  paper,  to  Im?  sure,  but  the  plantation  system 
still  reigns  supreme  -'The  Hou.ses  stand  sometimes  two  or 
three  together;  and  in  other  Places  a  (Ju;irter,  lialf  a  Mile,  or  a 
Mile,  or  two  asunder,  much  as  in  the  Cinuilr;/  iu  Enf/lanfl.'''  The 
roads  are  bad:  the  new  postal  .sy.stein  conveys  intelligence  sl()w- 
ly;  there  is  little  mental  contact.  Slavery  exists  to  a  greater 
extent  than  in  New  Kiigland,  but  exerts  no  blighting  influence 
upon  literature  except  as  it  encourages  the  cii.sy  idleness  of  the 
l>lanters.  Intellectually  the  colony  has  made  great  progiv.ss.  but 
Jones  complains  ( 1721)  that  the  Virginians  are  "more  inclin:ible 
to  read  Men  bv    Business  aud   Couvei-sation  than  to  dive  into 


14  A   DISSERTATION   ON   VIRGINIA  LITERATURE. 

Books,  and  are  for  the  most  part  only  desirous  of  learning  what 
is  absolutely  necessary,  in  the  shortest  and  best  method;"  they 
go  frequently  to  England  foreilucation,  however,  and  "  yet  more 
would  be  sent  over  were  they  not  afraid  of  the  Small-Pox." 
Thout^li  William  and  Mary  College  has  been  founded  since  1693 
and  though  a-s  early  as  170.5  •'  there  are  large  Tracts  of  Land.s, 
Hou.ses,  and  other  Things  granted  to  Free-Schools  for  the  Educa- 
tion of  Cliildren  in  many  parts  of  the  country,''  it  is  worthy  of 
note  that  every  writer  of  this  period  has  received  his  education 
iu  England.  From  168.S  to  1720  no  printing  was  done  in  Virginia; 
from  1729  until  17(j6  there  was  but  a  single  printing-house  iu  the 
colony.  There  are  some  signs  of  intellectual  life,  however;  a 
paper  is  started  at  Williamsburg  in  ll'Mi;  theatrical  representa- 
tions are  popular  at  this  metropolis;  many  Virginia  gentlemen 
possess  libraries  that  would  not  be  sneered  at  iu  England.  But 
on  the  whole,  throughout  this  long  period,  literature  receives  no 
decided  stimulus. 

Passing  over  some  religious  pamphlets,  hereinafter  men- 
tioned, and  "A  Deed  of  Gift  for  my  dear  son,  Captain  Matt. 
Page,"  by  John  Page  of  Rosewell,  "a  devout  production  full  of 
earnestness  and  piety  "  but  as  literature  of  somcwliat  doubtful 
value,  we  reach  the  year  170.5  before  tinding  a  Virginia  book. 
At  this  date  appeared  '*The  History  and  Present  State  of  Vir- 
ginia," written  by  Robert  Beveily,  the  colony's  first  historian  of 
native  birth.  Here  we  have  conscious,  retrospective  history, 
written  for  no  i)urpose  beyond  giving  the  world  a  correct  view 
of  Virginia's  piust  :ind  present.  The  purely  narrative  portion  of 
the  book  is  by  no  means  voluminous  or  exhaustive;  it  is  marred 
by  .some  inaccuracies  and  fretpiently  colored  by  partisan  hatred. 
Thedescrijitions  of  the  country,  the  Indian.s,  and  the  .state  of  the 
colony  are  more  interesting  and  reliable.  Everywhere  the 
language  'S  clear  and  .straightforward,  stripped  of  superfluities, 
tersely  vigorous.  Simpler  still  is  the  style  of  Hugh  Jones, 
profes.sor  of  mathematics  at  the  college  of  William  and  Mary, 
sometime  lecturer  at  Bruton  Parish  Church,  and  author  of  "  The 
Present  Slate  of  Virginia"  (1721).  The  object  of  this  work  is 
to  correct  "the  very  erroneous  and  monstrous  Thoughts"  enter- 
tained   by    Englishmen     respecting    Virginia;    the    better     to 


A    DISSERTATION   ON    VIRCilNIA    LITEKATURE.  15 

accomplish  his  lamhihlc  piiriiost-  tlio  Icarircd  clcrjiyniaii  has 
''  industriously  avoided  tho  DinanuMital  l)i»'ss  of  Rbctoiical 
Fiourislies,"  and  tells  very  calmly  aud  candidly  wliat  he  knows 
about  his  adopted  home.  The  educational,  relifjious,  and  com- 
mercial systems  of  Virginia  receive  his  special  attention,  tlie 
attention,  a.s  it  proves,  of  a  man  of  shrewd  common-sense.  He  is 
a  warm  admirer  of  the  colony,  hut  no  mincer  of  words  when  it 
liecomes  nece.ssarj*  to  express  his  opinion  of  al)nses;  as  he  is  bold 
enough  to  criticize,  so  is  he  honest  enfuigh  to  suggest  improve 
ments.  Another  clerical  liistorian,  whom  we  shall  have  further 
f)cca.sion  to  mention,  is  James  Hlair,  chief  collaborator  of  "The 
Present  State  of  Virginia  and  the  College,"'  in  the  writing  of 
which  Henry  Hartwell  and  Edward  Chilton  also  had  a  hand.  "  It 
is  expertly  written;  is  neat  and  vigorous  in  style;  abounds  in  facts 
concerning  the  condition  of  the  colony  at  that  time;  and  is  not 
lacking  in  the  courage  of  plain  sp<'ech."  William  Stith  is  the 
last  of  the  pre-Ri'volutionary  historians,  a  Virginian  by  birtli,  a 
clergyman  and  teacher  by  profession,  and  an  author  by  way  of 
recreation.  His  "  History  of  the  First  Discovery  and  Settlement 
of  Virginia"  was  published  at  Williamsburg  in  1747,  on  the 
only  i)rinting-press  then  in  the  colony.  This  book  is  more 
con.sciously  literary  than  any  of  its  historical  predecessors,  and 
lliough  .seriously  marred  by  too  great  minutenes,s,  has  many 
charms  that  we  are  forced  to  admire.  Among  the.se  are  vigor 
of  characterization,  marked  descriptive  power,  and  a  simple 
artles-sness  in  the  treatment  of  touching  scenes. 

Hardly  to  be  clas.sed  with  the  historians,  whatever  may  be 
the  present  historical  value  t)f  their  writings,  are  two  Virginia 
gentlemen  of  tlie  highest  type,  whose  note-lmoks  contain  their 
impressions  of  men  and  events.  The  fii-st  of  lhe.se  gentlemen, 
Sir  .John  Randolph,  was  Attorney  General  of  Virginia,  and  iti 
tlie  pages  of  his  interesting  •' Breviate  Book"  live  again  his 
legal  contemi)orarie.s.  The  other,  ''the  perfect  flower  of  his 
time,"  wa.s  William  Byrd,  "of  We.stover  in  Virginia,  Ksq.'' 
He  wa.s  at  once  wholar  and  financier,  farmer  and  amba.><.sii(lor, 
wit  and  scienti.ft,  phiIo.soi)her  and  epicure.  But  it  is  William 
Byrd  the    man    of  letters   in    whom    we    are    interested.     At 


16  A   DISSERTATION   ON   VIRGINIA  LITERATURE. 

1-audoin  this  vei-siitile  Cavalier  dashed  off  a  series  of  notes  that 
are  niii(ine  in  the  annals  of  our  t-arly  literature,  since  published 
as  "The.  History  of  the  Dividing  Line,"  ''A.  Piogress  to  the 
Mines,"  and  "  A  Journey  to  the  Land  of  Edeu."  These  casual 
jottings  in  the  diary  of  a  man  of  affairs  combine  the  esuse  of  the 
polished  gentleman,  the  wit  of  the  accomplished  courtier,  the 
bree/.ine.ss  of  the  observant  woodsman,  the  humor  of  the  genial 
philanthroi>ist.  Criticism  can  do  little  toward  detiuiug  the 
charm  of  these  sketches,  unstvulied  in  their  frankness,  warm  in 
their  humanity,  natural  in  their  vitality.  Fancy  Sir  Richard 
Steele  transported  to  the  Amei-icaii  foi'ests,  changed  and  sobered 
somewhat  by  contact  with  ])rimitive  nature,  forced  to  become  a 
naturalist,  and  to  devote  his  sarc;ism  to  the  inhabitants  of  Caro- 
lina; fancy  what  he  might  have  written  under  such  circumstances 
and  you  will  have  some  idea  of  the  literary  productions  of 
William  Byrd,  whose  kinsmen  in  English  literature  are  the 
l)olished  wits  of  tea<"up  times. 

No  poetry  was  written  in  Virginia  during  (he  second  liter- 
ary period,  for  which  omission  the  student  of  the  correspond- 
ing i)eriod  in  New  England  may  be  duly  thankful.  Two  new 
forms  of  literature,  however,  call  for  attention:  the  theological 
and  the  scientific. 

More  than  once  already  mention  has  been  made  of  theolo- 
gians, but  they  have  appearc-d  as  the  Jiuthors  of  secular  produc- 
tions. Francis  Mak em ie,  a  Scotch-Irish  Presl>yterian,  who  came 
to  America  in  1()8I,  stittled  in  Accomac,  and  after  some  persecu- 
tion, wrung  from  the  Governor  jx-rmission  to  preach  throughout 
Virginia,  published  as  early  UiOl  an  '' Answer  to  George  Keith's 
LilM'l,  "  a  pamj)hlet  that  that  was  highly  commended  and  re- 
published bj'  the  eminent  Increase  Mather,  of  Boston.  Before 
his  death  in  1708.  Makemie  published  at  least  four  other  tracts, 
all  of  a  more  or  less  controversial  cast.  The  great  theologian  of 
this  i)eriod,  however,  was  Commissary  James  Blair,  founder 
and  first  jiresident  of  William  and  Mary  College,  already  spoken 
of  ius  a  secular  historian.  The  literary  fame  of  this  distinguishetl 
educator  and  inlellectual  civilizer  rests  i)rincipally  upon  his  dis- 
coui-ses  on  "Our  Savior's  Divine  Sermon  on  the  Mount."  Of 
these  live  volumes  Tyler  says:  "  The  tone  of  the  authors  mind  is 


A.   DISSERTATION   ON   VIHfJINIA  I-lTEKATtTRE.  17 

jiulirial,  charitjihlo,  catholic;  he  is  not  brilliant;  hia 
ooth,  simple,  honest,  earnest;  thcix- is  no  display;  he  is 
uako  people  good.  "  High  coniniondation  this;  such 
hvays  deserved  by  those  writing  tlie  voluminous  sec- 
ribes  of  New  fingland. 

arly  Virginia  scientists  were  three  in  number:  John 
lohn  Clayton,  and  John  Mit<hell — the  hitter  probably, 
I,  tlie  author  of  sereral  historical  works  on  America 
\red  in  England  between  the  years  175")  and  1767. 
otiinists,  and  the  first  a  zoologist  as  well;  all  labored 
lithfully  to  ac(inaint  the  old  world  with  the  scientific 
'a  new  hemisphere.  In  this  connection,  a.s  technical 
we  may  also  note  ''The  Office  and  Authority  of  a 
the  Peace  "by  George  Webl)  (Williamsburg,  1736), 
ok  printed  in  Virginia  of  which  record  h:us  been  found, 
umber  of  authors  the  later  colonial  period  is  slightly 
the  early,  it  surpa.s8es  its  predecessor  in  the  average 
'rit  of  its  productions.  As  a  whole,  the  writings  of 
I  Virginia  are  characterized  by  a  warmth,  gaiety,  and 
rldliness  not  to  Ix-  found  before — or  elstiwhere,  at  this 
10  literature  of  the  American  colonies. 

The  Period  of  Rkvolution. 

(17()01SOO) 

tamp  of  the  times  is  indelibly  impressed  n])on  the 
literature  of  the  Revolutionary  Period.  True  of  tbe 
•jiry  products  of  the  colonies,  this  statement  is  partic- 
e  of  the  literature  of  Virginia.      Not  for  one  moment 

long  years  that  saw  tlie  American  union  conceived, 
nursed  into  strength  was  the  atnu)sphere  of  Virginia 
to  the  growth  of  any  literature  siive  that  bound  up 
itruggle  for  the  firm  establishment  of  civil  liljerty; 
r  other  thati  literary  ab.sorbed  the  great  part  of  men's 

Whether  wc  insist  or  deny  that  Patrick  Henry  of 
as  the  first  to  set  the  revolutionary  l)all  in  motion,  all 
to  agree  that  Virginia  and  Virginians  were  well  to  tlie 
cry  crisis  of  the  times  that  tried  nn-n's  souls.     It  was 


18  A   DIS8EETATION    ON   VIEGINtA    UTERATtTRE. 

the  sons  of  the  royalty-loviug  Old  Dominion  that  niaishallcd  tlic 
Ameri<Mn  armies  on  tlie  field  of  battlo,  or  sbapi-d  the  polieies  of 
the  yoiniK  republic  on  the  floor  of  conventions.  Vii-j;inia  first 
protested  against  the  Stamp  Act;  first  proposed  colonial  com- 
mittees of  correspondence;  first  called  for  a  general  congress; 
first  shed  her  blood  iu  the  Indifin  prelude  to  the  great  struggle; 
first  declared  herself  a  free  and  independent  state.  In  the  more 
critical  days  that  followed  the  cessation  of  couflict  none  lalwred 
more  faithfully  to  build  staunch  the  ship  of  state  than  did  Vir- 
ginians. What  more  natural,  therefore,  than  that  every  intel- 
lectual energy  should  have  been  devoted  to  the  .service  of  liberty; 
that  the  literature  produced  should  have  paid  allegiance  not  to 
some  classic  muse  but  to  the  goddess  of  freedom!  Little  con- 
scious literature  was  written  in  Virginia  during  these  forty 
years,  but  never  were  Virginia  s  litej-ary  annals  brighter,  for 
her  great  authors  moulded  the  thought  of  a  nation  and  sent  forth 
their  words  to  find  responsive  echoes  in  the  hearts  of  Euiopean 
multitudes. 

In  such  a  sketch   as  this,  one  is  con.strained  to   forget  the 
requirements  of  artistic  proportion  and  pass  lightly  over  well 
known  names  to  dwell  at  greater  length  upon  others  less  renowned. 
Let  us  dismiss  with  a  word  the   t\)ur  great  authors  whom  every 
child   has  been  taught  to  reverence  as  statesmen.     In   a  .senst> 
i-emarkably  literal  all  were  men  of  le(h'rf<,  and  il  is  in  their  cor- 
respondence, perhaps,  that  we  see  their  style  at  its  l)est.     Here 
are   made  manifest  the   simple    grandeur    of  Washington,    the 
nervous,  virile  logic  of  Jefferson,  Madison's  solidity  of  argument, 
Monroe's  gentlemanly  scholarship.     The  literary   fame  of  these 
men,  however,  is  based  upon  other  productions  than  their  letters. 
Washington  is  best  known   for  his    "Farewell   Address,"  iu  its 
nobility,    sincerity,    and    high-minded    patriotism,    the    perfect 
mirror  of   the    man.     The    rounded,    sonorous   ju'riods   of   the 
"Declaration   of  Independence"    will    always  make   Jeffer.son 
"the   best  known   American  author,"  even  though  his  "  Auto- 
biography" and  valuable  "  Notes  on  Virginia"  should  come  to 
Ih;  forgotten.     i\Iadison's  chief  conti-ibntions  to  literature  were 
his  essays  in   the  "Federalist,"  remurkal)le  for  their  argument- 


A    DISSERTATION   ON  VIRGINIA    LITERATURE.  19 

tative  excellence  and  stately  eloquence  of  phraw.  Monroe,  the 
last  of  this  great  group,  was  the  anthoi'  of  ''The  People  the 
Soveivigns"  and  "A  View  of  the  Conduct  of  the  Executive," 
which  wei-e  justly  pr:iist"d  by  Englisli  critics  for  their  honest 
good  sense  and  rei)ul)lican  sincerity. 

Virginia  may  boast  also  of  a  second  gioup  of  legal  and  po 
litical  writers  hardly  le.ss  eminent  than  thost^  just  mentioned. 
Richard  Hhmd,  ''  the  Virginia  antiquary,"  stJinds  foremost 
ann>ng  these,  both  in  point  of  time  and  in  point  of  having  been 
considei-ed  "'the  fii-st  writer  in  the  colony."  His  ''Enquiry 
into  the  Rights  of  the  Colonies"  (1760)  has  l)een  said  to  con- 
tain the  tirst  .sound  argument  of  the  revolution,  its  only  fault 
iK'iug  found  in  its  conservative  author's  disinclination  to  follow 
his  arguments  to  their  logie^il  conclusion.  A  few  j'ears  later 
Dr.  Arthur  Ijee  wrote  from  London  his  "Monitor's  Letters" 
and  ''  Letters  of  Junius  American u.s,"  and  made  eloquent  appeal 
to  the  people  of  Great  Britain  in  the  interest  of  his  oppressed 
countrymen.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  author  of  the  "Letters  of 
the  Federal  Farmer,"  w;is  known  ;is  the  Cicero  of  the  House  of 
JSurge.sses  and  was  noted  for  his  chaste  .style,  vigorous  coucise- 
ne.s.s,  and  wealth  of  classical  allusion.  George  Ma.son,  one  of  the 
greatest  Virginians  of  that  great  day,  wrote,  in  addition  to  many 
clear  and  poTfCrful  letters,  since  collected,  that  leniarkabh'  docu- 
ment whose  highest  encomium  is  the  fact  that  Jeflerson  em- 
Ixxlied  whole  plira.ses  from  it  in  his  Declaration, — the  famous 
Virginia  "Bill  of  Right.s."  Edmund  Randol])h,  first  Attorney- 
General  of  the  State,  published  in  ITit.Ta  vigorous  "  Vindica- 
tion of  his  Resignation,"  which  completely  exonerated  him  from 
all  the  charges  of  his  enemies,  liobert  C.  Nichohus,  .John  Camni, 
and  Liindon  Carter  were  among  the  earliest  phamphleteeis  of  the 
period;  the  latest  was  James  T.  Callendar,  a  political  exile  from 
Britain,  a  partisian  of  Jetfer.son's,  and  editor  of  a  Richmond 
paper.  His  chief  politio-hi.storical  works  were  his  "  History  of 
the  United  States  for  179(J,"  "Sketches  of  the  History  of 
America,"  and  "The  Prospect  Before  Us."  The  latter,  a  vio- 
lent attjick  upon  the  administration  of  President  Adams,  causfld 
the  trial  and  conviction  of  its  author,  and  likewise  worked  the 
ruiu  of  the  Alien  and  Sedition  laws. 


20  A    DISSERTATION   ON  VIRGINIA    LITERATURE. 

Altbougli  till'  political  authors  just  meutioned  were  essenti- 
ally makers,  and  consequently  writers,  of  history,  there  were  no 
professed  historians  in  Virginia  during  the  revolutionary  period. 
The  absence  of  this  form  of  literary  production  was  more  than 
made  up  for  by  the  birth  of  oratory  and  the   re-birth  of  poetry. 

Far  above  his  fellows  in  oratorical  ability  towered  Patrick 
Henry,  wlui  spoke  "as  Homer  wrote"  and  electrified  his 
hearers  with  his  impassioned,  unrestrained  eloquence.  No  man 
could  resist  tlie  potent  spell  of  this  wonderful  magician,  who 
charmed  by  native  eloquence  as  spontaneous  as  the  music  of  the 
birds,  the  rush  of  the  cataract,  or  the  portentous  thunder  of  the 
storm.  Vainly  we  regret  that  the  matchless  eliorts  of  the  "  fore- 
most orator  on  the  continent  "  have  been  preserved  to  us  only 
at  second-hand.  Far  less  is  left  of  the  oratory  of  his  contempor- 
aries, who  have  suffered  the  ElizalM'tliau  fate  of  being  eclipsed  by 
one  mightier  than  they.  Eichard  Henry  Lee,  Edward  Randolph, 
Edward  Pendleton,  George  Wythe,  George  Mason — seldom  in 
the  annals  of  oratory  have  such  men  appeared  to  grace  a  single 
period  in  a  single  state. 

In  revolutionary  days  even  the  jiulpit  became  a  coign  of 
vantage  from  which  to  hui-1  the  thunderbolts  of  logic  upon  the 
heads  of  political  heretics.  Among  the  most  noted  Royalist 
divines  in  America  was  Jonathan  Boucher,  an  Englishman,  rec- 
tor in  Virginia  and  Maryland  until  1775,  when  his  pulpit  was 
closed  against  him  and  he  was  forcibly  ejected  from  the  country. 
After  his  return  to  England  he  puplished  (London,  17!)7)  "A 
view  of  the  Causes  and  Consequences  of  the  American  Revolution 
in  thirteen  discourses  pre;u'hed  in  North  America  between  the 
years  17G3  and  1775,"  a  work  characterized  by  independence 
of  opinion  and  refined  nobility  of  tone.  Doubtless  Virginia  pro- 
duced other  noteworthy  pulpit  orators,  both  ])atriot  and  tory, 
but  their  discourses  have  not  been  preser\'ed  to  literary  notice- 

We  have  seen  that  Virginia's  noblest  colonial  poem  was 
written  in  time  of  revolution.  For  a  century  thereafter  poetry 
c«ascd  to  exist;  another  revolution  w;is  needed  to  revive  the  lost 
art.  Not  all  of  this  new  poetry,  to  be  sure,  bears  any  close  con- 
nection witli  the  stirring  age  in  which  it  wiw>  written.  "Hearts 
of  Oak  "  and   "Virginia  Hearts  of  Oak"  are,  to  be  suie,  songs 


38EBTATION   ON  VIEGINIA    LITEKATUBE. 


21 


love  of  liberty.  Theodoric  Blaiitl  wrote  a  i)0<'ni  of 
imemoratiiig  the  Aiiierieaii  victory  at  Lexington, 
•e  i.s  .supi)osetl  by  Tyler  to  have  been  the  author  of 
mgnaeiou.s  s;itire  in  vei-se  entitled  '  Oppre.ssion.'  " 
eker,  the  eminent  jnri.st,  liai-.slily  .Siitirizes  John 
is  fellow  Federalists  in  "'The  Probationary  Odes 
ndar,  E.s((.,  a  consin  of  Peter's."  Finally,  Colonel 
■d,  an  officer  of  the  Kevolntion,  writes  the  first 
IS,  "The  Candidates  "  and  "The  Patriot.s,"  wliere- 
e  corruption  of  early  politics.  But  the  best  kuowu 
d  in  Virginia  before  the  nineteenth  century  were 
ece.s,  unconueeted  with  revolution  and  the  birth  of 
>ue,  "The  Belles  of  Williamsburg,"  a  .series  of 
ieal  pictures,  wjus  writteu  by  Judge  Tucker  and 
I'lnrg — the  latter  already  noted  for  I  he  classic  style 
'.s.s;iy.s.  Concerning  the  other  poem,  of  which  Judge 
le  author,  we  are  told  that  John  Adams  once  de- 
il  rather  have  written  "  Days  of  My  Youth  "  tlian 
ilton  or  Shakesjjeare. 

of  glory,  poetical,  oratorical,  jiolitical,  closes  the 
of  Virginia's  literary  history.  By  defending 
with  pen  as  well  as  sword,  Virginia's  sons  have 
ame  for  them.selves  and  placed  fresh  lanicls  upon 
brow.  Willi  the  peace  that  has  settled  upon  the 
)roader  literary  influence.  IJenceforth  we  eau  do 
liace  iu  a  general  fashion  the  main  course  of  this 
II. 

Thk  National  Perioo. 


(1H00-1.S.5O) 

auscs  worked  together  to  produce  the  marked 
'irginia  literature  ob.servable  during  the  lii-st  fifty 
nineteenth  century.  Prominent  ann^ng  thest* 
■eful  prosperity  of  a  strife  rent  l>y  no  strife 
han  that  of  i)arti.sjiu  politics.  The  early  friction 
III  machinery  had  l)een  removed,  ami  the  wheels 
ly  and  silently.     Of  yet  greater  literary  intiuence 


22  A  DIBSEBTATIOX  ON   VIRGINIA  LITEEATUEE. 

was  the  multiplicatioD  of  schools  within  the  borders  of 
the  State.  Amonj;  the  more  important  educational  institutions 
flourishing  in  Virtrinia  between  1800  and  1850  were  Hampden- 
Sidney,  the  University  of  Virginia,  Eaudolph-Macon,  Richmond 
College,  Washington  College,  the  Viigiuia  Military  Academy, 
Emory  aiul  Henry,  and  the  Episcopal  Theological  Seminary. 
The  establishment  of  periodicals  and  the  increiise  of  publishing- 
houses  acted  with  still  greater  directness  upon  literature.  We 
notice  at  least  five  magazines,  pre-eminent  among  them  the 
Southetvi  Lite7-arii  Messenger,  that  flourished  or  failed  to 
flourish  in  Virginia  during  the  National  Period :  newspapers  were 
far  more  numerous  and  moie  widely  read;  printing  jiresses  issu- 
ing books  performed  their  labors  of  enlightenment  in  many 
towns  besides  the  capital.  The  very  existence  of  such  towns 
was  another  circumstance  conducive  to  literary  activity;  with 
increased  mental  friction  came  increased  interest  in  producing 
literature  and  in  literature  as  produced. 

These  improved  conditions  were  a  jiowerfnl  stimulus  to 
literary  development,  but  they  were  neither  numerous  nor 
strong  enough  to  counteract  adverse  influences.  Though  the 
charge  made  against  Virginia—  and  the  South — of  literary  barren- 
ness during  this  period,  has  only  a  meagre  Justification  in  facts; 
though  Northern  literary  supremacy  is  often  largely  a  matter  of 
thorougli  exploitation,  at  the  hands  of  partial  critics,  of  all  the 
North's  available  literary  claims,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  a  cer- 
tain dispai'ity  is  revealed  when  we  i)lac^  side  by  side  the  history 
of  letters  in  Virginia  aud  the  corresponding  annals  of  the  New 
England  States.  We  need  not  be  ashamed  to  point  to  what  Vir- 
ginians wrote,  if  we  will  first  seek  to  find  why  they  did  not  write 
more  books  and  better  books. 

We  have  seen  that  towns  had  multiplied,  but  we  must  re- 
member that  tlie  plantation,  not  the  town,  wa.s  still  the  unit  of 
Virginia  society.  The  continuance  of  that  isolation  so  destruc- 
tive to  literature,  was  in  large  measure  due  to  the  predominant 
agricultural  activities  of  the  State,  lu'rget)grai)hical  peculiarities, 
aud  the  necessity  resting  upon  her  planters  to  fnrni.sh  employ- 
ment to  their  large  iuheritance  of  slaves.     The   Virginian,  too, 


A  DISSERTATION  ON   VIRGINIA  LITERATURE.  23 

has  always  felt  a  hatred  of  restraint  that  promptvS  him  to  seek 
the  freedom  of  spreading  fields  rather  than  the  cramped  quar- 
ters of  crowded  cities. 

Ajiuin,  for  all  the  blooming  forth  of  periodicals,  it  is  a  fact 
demanding  admission  that  antebellum  Virginia  did  not  feel  any 
decided  interest  in  letters,  jiff  se,  aud  the  lack  of  a  literary 
audience  di.scouraged  both  authors  and  publishers.  The  conserv- 
ative Virginian  admitted  the  literary  supremacy  of  England 
long  after  he  had  achieved  civil  iiulependenee;  he  did  not  believe 
in  lilcKiry  excellence  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  and  the  Age  of 
Johnson.  Lea.st  of  all  di<l  he  believe  that  a  fellow  Virginian 
could  write  anything  of  lasting  value.  Consequently  the  pro- 
fession of  lit«'rature  was  not  highly  honored;  the  professional 
writer,  when  he  dared  to  avow  himself,  was  looked  upon  with 
a  st)rt  of  .scornfid  pity  ius  a  faineant  whose  time  should  be  more 
profitably  employed.  Literature  thus  became  in  large  measure 
the  pa.stime  of  a  dilettante  who  frequently  concealed  his  identity, 
ralh«'r  than  the  seiions  i)rol'e.ssion  of  earnest  men.  We  tiud  not 
a  .single  writer  of  this  i»eriod  a  man  of  letters  by  profession,  Siive 
Poe,  who  was  forced  to  seek  his  audience  in  the  North,  where, 
indeed,  if  he  may  be  credited,  the  Southern  author  received  but 
poor  encouragement.  Such  literature  as  was  produced  in  Vir- 
ginia, despite  contempt,  tangibly  imitated  Knglish  models,  and 
thos«^  not  always  of  the  be-st. 

Mo  far  as  concerns  the  charge  that  literary  poverty  was  the 
result  of  intellectual  feebleness,  it  nuiy  be  denied  at  once.  The 
cla.ss  of  Viiginians  that  might  have  Ik'cii  e.Kpected  to  produce  a 
lit«T,iture,  prided  themselves  ui)on  their  superior  education  aud 
gloried  in  the  schools  whose  multiplication  we  have  noted.  But 
theii-s  was cliLssical  anil  historical  ediuation  that  did  not  lead  into 
liter.iry  i)athways;  the  colleges  were  not  centres  of  literary  in- 
tluence.  The  proh-.ssion  of  the  law,  looked  upon  lUS  a  steppiug- 
stone  t«)  poliliciil  preferment,  absorbed  mo.st  of  the  intellectual 
ability  of  the  .State  and  claimed  tin-  energies  that  in  New  England 
would  have  sought  a  liter.iry  channel.  We  need  not  wonder  at 
this,  sin<-e  Iil4-rature  had  neither  fame  nor  money  to  ofl'er  its  dev- 
otees, while  the    law  had  both,  iK'sides  giving  scope  for  the  ex- 


24  A   DIS8EETATI0N   ON  VIKGINIA   LITERATURE. 

ercise  of  the  power  of  oratory,  tJiat  inherited  endowment  of  al- 
most every  Virfjiniaii.  The  supremacy  of  the  law,  moreover,  re- 
sulted logically  from  the  uature  of  the  Virginian  and  his  peculiar 
civilization.  The  spirit  of  liberty  inherent  in  his  being,  joined 
to  the  habit  of  conmiaud  incident  upon  his  control  of  vast  estates, 
made  him  aspire  to  the  leadership  of  men,  the  suiiervi.siou  of  the 
body  politic,  the  power  to  be  obtained  by  word  of  mouth  rather 
than  by  touch  of  pen.  As  always,  the  legal-political  profession 
jirovcd  itself  the  jealous  mistress,  and  most  of  the  literary  pro- 
ductions that  came  from  legal  pens  weie  merely  the  random 
jottings-down  of  men  whose  chief  attention  was  centred  else- 
where than  on  literary  excellence,  or  were  philosophical  and 
polemic  treatises  that  are  literature  only  by  accident. 

Finally,  the  times  of  peace  were  yet  times  of  ardent  discus- 
sion, for  coming  tragic  events  already  cast  their  shadows  before. 
]VIucli  of  the  intellectual  power  of  Virginia  was  dissipated  in  the 
task  forever  laid  upou  her  of  defending  the  inherited  institution 
of  .slavery  and  solving  its  many  problems.  To  say  that  any 
further  repressive  influence  was  exercised  by  this  peculiar  sys- 
tem is  to  theoriz<^  rather  than  to  deal  with  facts;  the  declaration 
that  slavery  blights  literature  can  be  i)roved  neither  by  analogy, 
by  comparison,  nor  otherwise. 

If,  therefore,  the  literature  of  Virginia  during  the  first 
half  of  the  nineteenth  century  is  less  voluminous  than  we  might 
wish,  and  if  it  is  too  frequently  sicklied  o'er  with  the  pale  cast  of 
amateurishness,  these  shortcomings  find  explanation  in  the  pre- 
valing  (juality  of  the  environment,  not  in  the  mental  incapacity 
of  the  people. 

Among  the  forms  of  literary  production  found  for  the  first 
time  during  this  period,  we  note  first  various  nariative  and 
descriptive  works,  largely  accounts  of  travels,  now  numerous 
enough  to  be  embraced  in  a  separate  class.  One  of  the  most  en- 
teitaining  of  these  volumes  contains  the  journals  of  Captains 
Lewis  and  Clarke,  whom  we  follow  with  interest  in  their  thrill- 
ing trip,  the  first  across  the  continent,  breathing  the  pure,  fresh 
air  of  nature,  marvelling  at  the  wonders  of  the  mighty  wilder- 
ness.    A  notorious  and  detested   writer  of  books  of  travel  was 


A   DISSERTATION    ON    VIRGINIA    LITERATURE.  25 

Mi-s.  Aiinc  Royall,  editor  of  a  hlackiiiiiilinf;  piihlioatioii  issued 
at  Washington,  who  always  tound  numerous  purchasi-i's  foi-  her 
volumes  among  prominent  politicians  who  were  inspired  with 
a  wholesome  respect  for  her  vituperative  abilities.  She  seem.s 
to  have  been  such  a  virago  that  one  hesitates  to  speak  of  her  as 
the  fii'st  authoress  of  Virginia.  Altogether  of  a  ditl'ercnt  kiud 
was  the  literary  reputation  of  Mrs.  William  C.  Kives,  who  wrote 
•Tales  and  Souvenirs  of  a  Residence  in  Europe,"  and  '"Home  and 
the  World;"  her  flowing  style  and  powei-s  of  picture.sque 
description  received  marked  commendation  from  such  a  critic  as 
Washington  Irving.  Here  should  be  included  Wirt's  "  Letters 
of  a  British  Spy,"  written  with  much  esuse  and  spirit,  several 
p!us.sjiges  in  which  liave  deservedly  become  famous.  "  A  Voyage 
up  the  Kiver  Amazon,"  by  William  H.  Edwards  appeared  in 
1847  and  wa.s  pi'aised  for  its  inteie.st  and  novelty.  In  jioint  of 
instructive  value,  however,  Lyncli's  "  Narrative  of  the  Expedi- 
tion to  the  Kiver  Jordan  and  tlie  Dead  Sea  "  (1849)  probably 
siirpjusses  the  other  productions  of  the  cl;us.s. 

The  writing  of  biography  originates  in  Virginia  with  Marsh- 
all's "Life  of  Wiishington"  (1804),  a  model  of  careful  and 
l)aiM.staking  investigation,  laborious  historicjil  accunu'y,  and 
simple  perspicuity  of  .style,  yet  lacking  the  saving  grace  of  hu- 
man intere.st.  Far  more  i>o])ular  Wiis  the  biogniphy  of  Wasliiug- 
ton  by  Miuson  Locke  Weems,  preadier,  l)ook  agent,  poet,  and 
romancer  extraordinary,  who.st^  various  biographical  volumes 
have  had  an  immense  circulation,  chiefly  iHH'au.se  of  their  pie- 
tui-e.s<iiie  disregard  of  the  limitations  of  truth.  William  Wirt, 
an  eminent  Virginia  lawyer,  attained  more  busting  eminence  by 
the  publication,  in  1818,  of  his  "Sketches  of  tlie  Life  and  Char- 
act«'r  of  Patrick  HcMiry,  "  still  i\u:  most  widely  read  ac.<-ount  of 
this  great  statesman's  career.  As  literature,  tlie  volume  snflei-s 
in  that  the  aiithoi's  love  of  .s<inorous  .sentences  freciueiitly  lea«Ls 
)iim  into  bombast;  a.s  history,  in  that  his  appreciation  of  drama- 
tie  values  .sometimes  .seduces  him  into  inaccuracy.  The  lives  of 
Kieharil  Henry  Lee  and  Arthur  Ijce  were  ably  writt»'n  by  Kieh- 
ard  Henry  Lee,  the  younger.  Another  of  the  gn-at  Virginians, 
Thomas  Jefl'ei'suu,    may  be  seen  to  iid\  anlage  through  the  piiges 


26  A   DISSERTATION   ON  VIRGINIA    LITERATURE. 

of  Thomas  J.  Randolph  and  George  Tucker.  "The  Life  of  Jolin 
Hauipden,"  l)y  Col.  William  C.  Eivos,  ha.s  been  pronounced 
"  a  miist«-rpiece  of  philosophical  biography,"  but  is  less  well 
known  than  the  .same  author's  "  History  of  the  Life  and  Times 
of  James  Madison,"  which  by  date  of  publication  (1859-1868) 
falls  without  the  limitvS  of  the  present  period. 

The  creditable  group  of  histories  produced  in  Virginia  dur- 
ing the  national  period  is  capable  of  very  interesting  subdivision. 
Ofgeueral  hi.stories  of  Virginia  we  uote  three:  Burk's  (1804), 
Howisou's  (1847),  and  Campbell's  (1840— lev.  and  eul.  1860). 
Each  of  these  works,  the  last  especially,  is  of  great  value,  but 
each  hii-s  its  faults.  The  first  is  at  times  too  florid  in  style;  the 
second,  while  jdeasing,  is  somewhat  tedious;  the  third  sacrifices 
literary  beauty  to  the  demands  of  thoroughness  and  accuracy. 
Particular  sections  of  the  Stat*-  are  treated  in  Wither.s'  "Chron- 
icles of  Border  Warfare,  "  i)nblislied  at  Clarksburg  in  1831,  an<l 
the  "  History  of  the  Valley''  (Winchester,  18;53)  by  Samuel  Ker 
cheval,  who  has  been  ai)lly  styled  the  Froissartof  Transniontane 
Virginia.  Bothbooks  are  based  upon  tradition  rather  than 
upon  ollicial  recoids;  both  remain  authorities  on  (svents  of  minor 
significance,  though  superseded  in  regard  to  more  impoitaiit 
histoiical  occurrenct's.  Virginia  historians,  however,  did  not 
feel  themselves  limited  by  lln^  confines  of  Iheir  native  state. 
Robert  GrcenhdW  wrote  a  thoroughly  reliable  "  History  of  Ore- 
gon and  California,"  besides  hi.stories  of  the  Northwest  Cosistand 
Tripoli.  Benjamin  P.  French  fii-st  won  for  himself  fame  as  a 
historical  investigator  by  the  publication  of  "  Hi.storical  Collec- 
tions'' dealing  with  Lousiana,  his  adopted  home,  to  be  followed 
by  more  coHi])lete  volumes  of  the  same  general  character.  An- 
other class  of  histories  were  tho.sc  concerned  witli  subjects 
purely  military.  Several  of  these,  such  as  Lee's  "  Memoirs  of 
the  War  in  the  Sonlhern  Department  of  the  United  States''  and 
Clark's  "Sketches  of  the  Campaign  in  the  lilinoi.s,"  po.s.sess  the 
peculiar  interest  of  having  l)een  written  by  men  who  weie  them- 
selves <diief  actors  in  the  .scencesthey  describe.  The  first-named 
book  is  characterized  by  distinct  literary  merit  and  has  ]>assed 
through  .several  editions.     Nou-participant  authors  of  military 


A    DISSERTATION    ON    VIRGINIA    LITKRATirRE.  27 

histoiies  were  Cougressman  Claiborne  and  Henry  Ijce,  the 
younger.  The  foiincr  published  "  Notes  on  the  War  in  the 
South;"  the  latter,  besides  b.ing  the  auflior  of  "a  spirited  work 
on  Napoleon  and  a  pungent  volume  on  Jeflerson"'  wrote  liis 
"Campaign  of  1781"  to  defend  against  hostile  comnieut  the 
military  exploits  of  his  father's  legion. 

Even  more  creditable  than  the  histories,  biographies,  aud 
books  of  travel  just  considered,  are  the  expository  and  argument- 
ative productions  of  the  period.  I-lspecially  worthy  of  our  atten- 
tion are  tlie  constitutional  treati.ses  of  John  Taylor  of  Caroline, 
who.se  Ixioks  Mr.  Ji-lfei-son  considered  indespensjible  in  the  li- 
brary of  the  statesman  or  tht^  jthilosopher.  Another  vigorousex- 
pouiuler  of  Virginia's  constilulional  views  Wius  .ludge  Abel  P. 
I'pshur,  who.sc  ■•  Hiief  IiKpiiry  into  the  Nature  and  Chai-.M-ter 
of  Our  Federal  Government  "  h:i.s  always  I'anked  among  the 
ablest  presentations  of  the  "states'  riglits"  doctrine.  The 
Tuck«u-s,  Henry  St.  George  and  Nathaniel  I5everly,  both  pub- 
lislied  volumes  of  lectures  on  constituticuial  topics;  a  third 
Tucker,  Gcoi'ge,  es,siiyist.  biogi-aphei-.  and  historian,  was  the 
author  of  many  valuable  works  on  economic  subjects.  In  the 
study  of  this  science,  however,  he  had  been  ])receded  by  Di-. 
Thomas  li.  Dew,  whose  lectures  on  the  "  Ke.strictive  System  " 
appeared  in  1S20.  (iovernoi-  Tazewell,  also  made  important 
contHbiitions  to  the  comnu-rcial  history  of  the  country.  Rssiiys 
of  a  more  popular  character  were  writt«'n  by  William  Wirt, 
who.se  "Old  lia<'helor '"  exhil)its  clearly  the  bam-ful  ettect«  of 
imitation,  and  by  Janu's  M.  (iarnett,  who.se  "  Lt'ctures  on  Fe- 
male Education  "  might  Ik-  studied  with  ])ro(it  at  tlie  present 
day.  The  pioneer  of  lil<'.rary  criticism  in  America  wsus  tlie  Vir- 
ginian, PiH',  who  did  inestimable  si-rvice  to  the  litenilure 
of  the  country  by  his  caustic  comments  ujxin  the  worthless  pro- 
(bu-tions  of  the  age.  For  all  his  ])ersonal  bias,  his  jiai'tiality 
toward  women,  and  his  love  of  llu-  branding  iron,  his  thought- 
fid  judgments  of  men  and  books  have  .seldom  been  reversed  by 
time  aud  are  well  wortliy  of  a  prominent  phu-ein  that  gival  body 
of  critical  essiiys  which,  taken  by  and  large,  (tuMus  no  inconsider- 
able or  unimportaut   part  of  Amei'ican  liteniture. 


28  A   DISSEETATION   ON    VIEGINIA  LITEEATURE. 

The  oratoiioal  elTorts  of  the  many  able  men  whose  profound 
utterances  graced  the  fornm,  had  they  beeu  preserved  to  us  iu 
more  instances,  would  have  added  a  large  and  characteristic  ele- 
ment to  the  literature  of  the  period.  Only  a  verj'  few  of  this 
group  of  orators,  howevt^r,  are  known  to  literature  through  the 
writt«'ii  form  of  their  orations;  of  these  few,  three  demand  our 
passing  attention:  William  Wirt,  counsel  in  the  celebrated  trial 
of  Aaron  Bun-,  which  is  remembered  by  the  public  largely 
through  fiiigments  remaining  from  Wirt's  great  speech;  John 
]{aii(lolph  of  Koanoke,  the  greatest  master  of  scathing  and  satiri- 
cal invective  America  has  yet  produced;  and,  greatest  of  all,  the 
most  natural  and  spontaneous  speaker  of  the  greats  senatorial 
triumvirate,  the  mighty  Clay,  whom  Virginia  will  always  be 
proud  to  claim  as  her  son. 

It  cannot  l»e  stated  with  accuracy  to  whom  belongs  the  honor 
of  having  written  the  first  novel  to  be  found  in  Virginia  litera- 
ture. One  John  Davis,  probably  a  Viiginian,  published  at  New 
York  in  1806  "  The  First  Settlers  of  Virginia:  a  Historical  Novel 
exhibiting  a  view  of  the  i-ise  and  progress  of  the  colony  at 
Jamestown,"  ceitaiuly  the  first  of  the  long  line  of  romances 
dealing  with  Virginia  and  lier  people,  iu  which  is  treated  almost 
every  stirring  or  ronuintic  event  in  th<^  history  of  colony  and 
state.  In  1829  there  appeared  in  Ilichmond  a  novel  by  James  E. 
Heath  cut i tied  ''Edgchill,"  wliich  long  continued  popular,  and 
wa.s  the  first  novel  to  i.ssue  from  a  Virginia  press.  Virginia  fic- 
tion, liowever,  is  said  by  Cooke  to  have  begun  with  the  writings 
of  Dr.  William  A.  ('arruthcrs,  author  of  "  The  Cavaliers  of  Vir- 
ginia "and  "The  Knights  of  the  Goldeu  Horse-Shoe,"  as  well 
as  other  books  of  lesser  note.  The  first  of  these,  dealing  with 
Bacon's  R'ilHillion,  is  marred  by  stiffness  of  style,  unnatui-alness 
of  conversation,  and  historical  inaccuracy;  the  second,  upon 
which  rests  tlie  antlioi's  fame,  is  said  to  present  a  graphic  pic- 
ture of  life  in  the  days  of  Spotswood.  Both  are  respectable  but 
not  remarkable  i)roduction.s,  which  at  le.ist  recognize  the  principle 
that  a  novelist  should  deal  with  familiar  scenes.  Other  Vir- 
ginia wiiters  of  fiction  followed,  among  tluMii  Dr.  Kntlner,  Mrs. 
Martha  F.  UunUir,  and  James  S.  French,  but  their  productious 


A    DISSERTATION   ON   VIR(}INIA    LITERATURE.  29 

sliowctl  no  j)<"Ciiliai-  litoraiy  <'xc<'II('iicp.  Much  tlio  nuist  note- 
worthy novels  of  tilt'  j)t>riii(l  were  Tucker's  "  (Jeorfjo  Biilcoinbe  " 
and  "The  Partisan  Lcailcr."  The  lornici-  Poe  ri'|a;arded  "upon 
the  whole  as  the  Ix-st,  Anieric-an  novel."  Tlu;  latter,  an  inconi- 
plfite  fragment,  is  stranj^ely  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  its 
events  are  moved  forward  twenty  years  and  are  Hiipi)osed  to 
occnr  at  a  time  when  President  Van  Huren  is  enjoying  his  third 
term,  the  federal  government  is  centralized  into  a  virtual  mon- 
archy, and  theSonthcrti  states,  excejit  Virginia,  have  witlidrawn 
from  the  Union.  The  most  interesting  tribute  to  the  author's 
power  of  jiropliecy  in  thus  foieti-lling,  however  inaccurately,  the 
great  civil  struggle,  is  to  l>e  found  in  the  strange  fact  that  this 
book,  suppre.s.sed  shortly  afli-r  its  original  pul)licHtion,  was  re- 
issued in  New  York  in  IStjl  under  the  title  "  A  Key  to  the  Dis- 
union 0<)nspira<-y  "  and  was  submitted  to  the  world  as  eviden<'e 
of  a  long  meditated  plot  on  the  pait  of  Southern  political 
leaders  to  overthrow  the  Union.  Considered  apart  from  its  in- 
teresting jjredictions  and  the  absurd  circu7nslauc«'S  of  its  republi- 
cation, this  book  will  disappoint  the  modern  reader.  Its  move- 
ment is  slow  and  cumbersome,  its  style  though  oruatt-  is  stilted, 
though  chaste  is  lifeles.s.  Indeed  tliere  was  little  native  vigor  in 
any  of  the  romances  of  this  first  j)ei'iod  of  liction;  the  curs*-  of  im- 
itation had  fallen  upon  them,  for  the  cult  ofSctitt  reigned  tlirough- 
ont  the  land.  Oidy  the  inimitable  Poe,  among  Virgiiuans,  rose 
superior  to  limitations  of  time  or  space  and  produced  tho.so 
masterpieces  of  the  story-teller's  art  which  shall  never  lo.so 
their  charms  while  man  has  l)lood  to  run  cold,  a  heart  to  palpi- 
tate, or  a  iH'iug  to  render  in  abject  submission  to  the  ])otent 
charms  of  the  greatest  of  literary  magicians. 

Before  considering  tin;  crowning  glory  of  the  period,  its 
poetry,  let  us  glance  briefly  at  Viiginia's  many  valuable  contri- 
butions to  the  medical,  legal,  audotlier  te<'hnical  literature  of  the 
day.  Among  the  most  noted  of  the  theologians  were:  Dr. 
Ruffuer,  already  mentioned  its  a  novelist,  wlios*'  "  Fathers  of  the 
Desert''  was  considered  a  work  of  gr»'at  and  thorough  scholar- 
ship; his  fellow  Presbyt«'rians.  Moses  Hoge  and  Archibald  Alex- 
ander, the  one  renowned  chielly  for  his  strikingly  beautiftd  and 


no  A    DISSERTATION   ON   VIKGINIA    LITERATURE. 

effective  sermons,  the  other  for  liis  popuhir  religions  treatises 
wherein  abstract  problems  are  discussed  with  the  si'^a^f'st 
clearness;  still  another  noted  Presbyterian,  John  Holt  Kiee, 
editor  of  the  Vm/inia  Evaiu/climl  and  Literal  y  Mojjazinv;  Alex- 
an(h'r  Campbell,  the  great  reformer,  powerful  in  debate;  the 
Baptists  Taylor  and  Broaddus;  tlie  Methodist  Thornton,  author 
of  "tlie  most  extensive  investigation  of  slavery  yet  seen;"  and 
Deverenx  .Tairatt,  the  only  Episcopal  contributor  to  the  theo- 
logical literature  of  the  times.  Among  i>hysicians,  John  Kearsley 
Mitchell  and  Kobley  Dnnglison,  sometime  professor  at  the  XTni- 
versify  of  Virginia,  produced  numerous  and  valuable  medical 
treatises.  Marshall's  "  Writingsupon  the  PYderal  Constitution,  " 
Hening's  invaluable  "Statutes  at  Large,"  and  a  variety  of 
learned  productions  by  such  eminent,  lawyers  as  Davis,  Lomax, 
Holc<jnd)e,  Kobinson,  et  oh, — these  are  but  a  few  of  Virginia's 
contributions  t<i  the  liti-rature  of  the  law.  Rogers  in  geology, 
and  Courtney  and  Bonnyciustle  in  matliematics,  proved  them- 
selves masters  of  their  chosi^n  subjects.  But  by  fai-  the  l)est. 
known  scientist  of  Virginia,  if  not  of  America,  w;us  Matthew 
Fontaine  Maury,  a  physicist  without  rival,  whose  investigations 
and  discoveries  gained  for  their  author  honor  at  home  and 
abioad  and  won  him  the  proud  title  of  Pathfinder  of  the 
Ocean.  His  many  writings  may  well  find  a  place  in  our  litera- 
ture since  he  relieves  the  technicality  of  his  subject  with  touches 
of  poetic  imagination,  true  elociuenee,  and  genuine  humor,  while 
liis  purely  literary  essays  contributed  to  the  Sunth'-ni  LUcrary 
Messenger  are  graceful  and  airy  to  a  degree.  Literature  no  less 
than  science  should  take  care  that  the  name  of  Maury  be  not  for- 
gotten. 

Though  her  atmos])here  was  not  favorabU-  to  jjrofessional 
poets,  ante-bellum  Virginia  was  by  no  means  utterly  devoid  of 
l)oetical  talent.  As  poets  whose  literary  fame  rests  chiefly 
upon  some  basis  other  than  their  poetry,  we  may  note  Buik, 
Weems,  Mitchell,  and  Janney.  The  first-named  wrote  two 
tragedies  entitled  "  Bethlem  Gabor  "  and  "Bunker  Hill;"  the 
imaginative  parson  added  "Hymen's  Kecruiting  Sergeant "  to 
the   poetic  treasures   of  his   country's    literature;  Dr.    Mitchell 


A    DISSKUTATION    (IN    VIKtilMA     t.ITERATl'RK.  31 

IMililjslicil  "SI.  llclfii;!"'  ;iiiil  uihcr  piiriiis  of  smnc  slij;lil  iiicril: 
Dr.  .laniicy's  "  La.sl  of  llic  Lciiapf "  lia.s  Ik-ou  (•xt<•ll.si\ol.^ 
pniist'd  for  its  i)nr(^  ami  k'""""'  Iwmily.  Aiiioiij;  other  minor 
vorsilitM'S  of  IIk- early  year.s  of  llie  e<MitMry  were  Daniel  liryaii, 
aiitlKtr  of  "  The  Jlomilaiii  Mils*-;"  Williaiii  Maxwell,  who  pro- 
diueil  two  vohmies  of  vei'se;  Jmlilh  Loiiiax,  whos«'  "  Note.s  of  an 
Anieriwiii  Lyre"  ajtpeared  at  Kiehmoiid  in  ISl,};  one  C.  Liuiis- 
den,  of  Petei'slnirjj;  'llionia.s  .1.  Seninie.s,  the  tir.st  student  of  the 
Univei-sity  of  Virginia  to  piil)li.sh  a  volume  of  jioeins;  Mi's.  Mary 
W.  Webster,  author  of  "  Poeahontius:  a  Lej^eud;"  and  (Jeo.  W. 
V.  Curli.s,  who  ehose  the  same  Indian  fpH-en  as  the  heroine  of 
his  •'national  drama.'"  Of  {greater  literary  merit  are  the 
''Sera])s"  of  .lohn  Collins  McCahe,  the  various  longer  poems  by 
Robert  Tyler,  the  President's  son,  and  the  {genuinely  poetieal 
produt'tioiis  of  St.  L«>}jer  L.  Carter,  whose  "Powhatan"  con- 
tains pa.s.siii;es  of  ran!  beauty.  The  pm-ms  and  translations  of 
Richard  Dabney  }iive  evitlence  of  scholarship  and  tiiste,  but 
preeminence  in  translation  belonj^s  of  i-if;ht  to  William  Munford. 
His  "  Iliad,  "  published  in  two  volumes  at  Boston  (  ISI(i),  fur- 
nishes a  lastinj;  memorial  of  the  author's  exact  learning  and 
literary  al>ility;as  a  translation,  il  is  more  Homeric  than  Pope's, 
smoother  than  Cowper'.s,  but  less  poet !<■  and  vigorous  than  Chaji- 
man's.  But  of  all  the  poetic  elTusions  ju.st  mentioned  not  one  has 
enjoyed  any  such  gener.il  popularity  as  one  or  two  of  the  simple 
love-lyrics  anil  trijiping  ballads  of  Philip  Pendleton  t'<ioke,  who 
at  the  time  of  his  early  death  gave  piomi.st- of  becoming;  one  of 
the  most  famous  of  Amei'i<'an  poels. 

Above  the  mild  chorus  of  tlie.s*'  minoi-  singei-s  ris«'H  clear 
and  melodiou.s  a  strange,  wild  note,  varying  little  in  its  weinl 
beauty,  ever  mournful,  ever  haunting.  The  music  of  the  voice 
liecomes  more  and  more  apparent  with  the  lap.st!  of  years,  and 
American  critics  grow  more  and  more  ready  to  recogni/.e  E<lgar 
Allan  Poe  sus  one  of  the  very  greatest  of  American  jxM'ts,  while 
their  foreign  brethrcMi  arc;  inclined  to  go  still  fai'therand  ileclare 
him  the  greate.st  literary  artist  the  New  World  hits  yet  produced. 
While  he  was  a  jmet  of  no  age  or  clime,  a  strange  dreamer  from 
•'the  land  eiiwt  of  the  sun  and  west  of  the  moon,"  he  always 


32  A  DISSERTATION   ON  VIRGINIA  LITERATURE. 

failed  himself  a  Virginian,  and  it  is  not  difficult  to  find  some 
traces  of  Virginia  iiitlnencc  in  both  his  prose  and  his  veree.  Of 
tliat  verso,  so  oftiui  the  subject  of  criticism,  little  need  here  be 
said  save  that  within  its  limited  sphere  it  has  never  yet  been 
surpassed;  as  rythmical  creations  of  beauty,  wherein  sound  and 
sense  answer  and  combine  to  work  their  sul)tle  effect  upon  the 
reader's  brain,  Poe's  poems  are  without  parallel  in  our  language. 
He  did  not^ — perhaps  could  not — write  a  vast  body  of  vei-se, 
but  his  slender  production  stands  alone  in  its  cliiiste  beauty;  and 
when  the  "sweet  bells  jangled  out  of  tune"  t«o  quickly  broke 
and  were  huslied  in  e\'erhi.sting  silence,  the  world  had  lost  one 
of  its  rarest  singers,  a  genius  divinely  dowereil,  who  wiis  forced 
to  offer  the  fragile  wares  of  his  sensitive  soul  at  the  marts  of  a 
selfish  and  unfeeling  world. 

With  the  mention  of  this  last,  the  greatest  name  in  Virginia's 
literary  annals,  we  may  well  close  our  consideration  of  tlie  ante- 
bellum literature  of  the  State.  John  Esten  Cooke  h;i.s  well 
summarized  t lie  general  characteristics  of  the  period:  "Many 
writers  of  admirable  attainments  and  solid  merits  have  i)roduced 
works  which  have  instructed  and  improved  their  generation;  and 
to  instruct  and  imi)rove  is  better  that  to  amuse.  Whatever  may 
be  the  rank  of  the  literature,  it  possesses  a  distinct  chai-acter. 
It  may  be  said  of  it  with  truth  that  it  is  notable  for  its  respect 
for  good  morals  and  manners;  that  it  is  nowhere  offensive  to 
delicacy  or  piety;  or  endeavors  to  instill  a  belief  in  what  ought 
not  to  be  believed.  It  is  a  very  great  deal  to  say  of  the  litera- 
ture of  any  conntiy  in  the  nineteenth  century.  " 

The  Period  of  Disunion. 

(18.50-1876) 

The  cxuarter-century  of  <ivil  disunion  wjis  both  favorable 
and  unfavorable  to  the  literary  development  of  Virginia.  For 
ten  of  tliese  years  Virginia  essayed  the  role  of  peacemaker  and 
vainly  endeavored  to  restore  harmony  among  her  sister  states; 
for  five  more  she  was  torn  by  all  the  mingled  emotions  of  joy 
and  sorrow  incident  upon  a  war  unequalled  for  fierceness  in  the 
history    of   man  ;    for  the    final  ten  she    lay  crushed  under 


A    DISSERTATION    ON    VIKOINIA    I.ITEKATUKE.  33 

heol  of  oppression  more  terrible  than  the  deviustationsof  an  army 
with  banners.  Rnt  it  hius  always  been  in  great  crises  that  the 
int«'ll('ctual  majesty  of  Virginia  has  slione  forth  most  resi)lentlent. 
Never  did  her  jurists  argne  more  elo<|uently  than  when  defend- 
ing the  rights  of  tlieir  nativi-  state;  never  did  her  poets  sing 
more  sweetly  than  when  voicing  tJie  glory,  grief,  and  gloom  of 
the  Confederacy;  never  did  her  biographers  prove  themselves 
more  worthy  than  when  recording  the  deeds  of  Virginia's  chosen 
chieftains;  never  did  her  novelists  reach  a  higher  plane  than 
when  depicting  the  romantic  greatness  of  Virginia's  past  or  the 
noble  heroism  of  lier  present.  The  literature  prodnced  lietween 
the  years  ISoO  and  1876  is  the  most  .symmetrically  rounded,  the 
highest  in  purely  literary  average,  that  has  yet  appeared  iu 
Virginia,  the  literature  of  reunion  perhaps  excepted. 

It  is  particularly  interesting  to  trace  the  coui-se  of  biography 
between  1850  and  1876.  In  the  years  of  tierce  discussion,  bitter 
recrimination,  and  threatened  disruption,  iinmediatelj-  preceding 
the  Civil  war,  Virginia  .s«;ems  to  have  looked  back  with  e.si>ecial 
pride  to  the  careers  of  her  great  .sons  of  former  days,  the  makers 
of  the  nation.  Wa.shington  was  the  subject  of  a  popular  bio- 
graphical volume  by  Schmucker;  G.  W.  P.  Custis,  adopted  son 
of  the  first  president,  i)ublished  in  18(!0  his  "  Recollections  and 
Private  Memoirs  of  George  Washington."  The  life  of  Thomas 
Jeffei-son  was  written  by  the  same  Schmucker,  and  also  by 
Hngh  A.  Garland,  who.se  masterpiece  is  his  interesting  and  in- 
structive "  Life  of  John  R;indolph."  In  isr),5  apjx'ared  Biildwin's 
"Party  lyatlers,"  a  voUune  of  biographical  sketches,  dealing 
principally  with  the  great  Virginians  of  the  jiast.  Alter  1860, 
however,  Virginia  bi()graphei's  chose  diflereiit  subject.s,  and  only 
in  Mi-s.  Kjindolph's  ''Domestic  Life  of  Jefl'erson  "  do  we  find  the 
ancient  worthies  again  ap|)earing  prominently  in  literature. 
The  lustre  of  the  pa.st  s«'emed  e(|ualled  if  not  dimmed  by  the 
glories  of  the  pre.s«'nt;  no  actions  wen- so  worthy  of  commemora- 
tion as  the  gallant  achievements  of  the  leaders  of  the  Confederacy. 
The  met«'oric  career  of  Stonewall  .Tackson  liecame  a  favorite 
theme  with  biographers  immediately  after  the  death  of  the  great 
chieftiiin  at  Chancellorsville.     Dabney'.s,  McCaljc's,  and  Cooke's 


34  A   DIB8EETAT10N    ON   VIRGINIA   LITEEATUEE. 

lives  of  Jackson  all  appeared  as  early  as  1863.  Of  these,  the 
first  is  probably  the  most  accurate,  though  tedious  at  times;  the 
last  is  the  most  i)opular.  and  if  not  exhaustive  is  at  least  interest- 
ing, is  vivid  if  not  profound.  The  domestic  side  of  Jackson's 
life  is  emphasized  in  Mrs.  Eandolph's  study  of  the  great  hero, 
which  appeared  in  1876.  Tliough  still  alive,  General  Lee  was 
as  popular  a  biographical  figure  as  was  Jackson.  McCabe's 
"Life  of  Lee"  was  published  in  1867,  Pollard's  "  Lee  and  His 
Lieutenants"  in  the  same  year,  Miss  Mason's  "Popular  Life  of 
Eol>ert  E.  Lee"  in  1870,  and  Cooke's  "Life  of  Lee"  in  1871. 
Pollard,  just  mentioned,  wrote  also  a  "  Life  of  Jefferson  Davis," 
less  valuable  than  that  of  the  unsympathetic  Alfriend,  which  is 
really  a  history  of  the  war,  its  causes  and  consequences. 
Avirett's  "  Ashby  "  (1867)  is  interesting  beciiuse  of  its  subject- 
matter  rather  than  its  literary  form.  Among  the  li\es  of  soldiers 
and  statesmen  must  be  included  the  autobiography  of  General 
Winfield  Scott,  who  was  certainly  a  great  soldier,  though  tlie 
critics  have  combined  in  making  mock  at  his  literary  elTorts. 

In  history,  too,  we  find  the  appeal  to  local  interest  predomi- 
nating. Gen.  Early  wrote  of  the  cumiiaigus  of  Lee  and  of  the 
last  days  of  the  war;  Gen.  Johnston  passionately  defended  his 
military  reputation  in  his  well-known  "Narrative;"  Col.  McCabe 
published  an  account  of  the  defense  of  Petersburg  that  hiis  been 
praised  for  clearness  and  accuracy.  No  complete  histories  of 
the  State  were  written  during  this  period,  but  Foote's  "  Sketches 
of  Virginia,"  Forrest's  "Sketches  of  Norfolk,"  and  Grigsby's 
invaluable  accounts  of  the  conventions  of  1776  and  1829-30  fur- 
nished material  of  worth  for  the  future  historian.  In  his  "Old 
Churches,  Ministers,  and  Families  of  Virginia,"  Bishop  Meade 
performed  the  invaluable  service  of  collecting  many  details  con- 
cerning antebellum  days  that  would  otherwise  have  been  lost. 
Here,  too,  maybe  mentioned  W.  W.  Benuet's  "Methodism  in 
Virginia,  "  a  notable  addition  to  the  ecclesi;istical  annals  of  the 
State.  Of  broader  scope  were  the  various  histories  of  the  Civil 
war;  among  them  those  by  Browulow  and  Botts,  Northern  sym- 
pathizers, "The  Southern  History  of  the  War"  by  Edward  A. 
Pollard,  Peyton's   "  Amci-icau  Crisis,"   and    Henry   S.    Foote's 


A    DISSERTATION   ON    VIUOINIA    LITERATURE.  ti', 

"Will' of  tlio  l?»'l)clli<)ii."  Slill  wider  in  ranfje  were  Professor 
Dew's  "Digest  of  Aiicit-iit  and  ModtTii  Ilistorj',"  and  the  almost 
inniinienible  volunies  of  Samuel  M.  SeliinueKer  aud  James  D. 
MeCal^',  both  already  mentioned  as  biojjraphers,  and  lM)lh 
limited  in  their  ehoiee  of  subjeots  only  by  the  confines  of  (he 
globe. 

The  nonhistorieal  narrative  and  descriptive  productions 
belonging  to  the  period  of  disunion  are  unexpectedly  cosmopolitan 
in  character.  True,  the  strife  in  Virginia  is  reflected  in  such  lM)oks 
as  Mrs.  Putnam's  '•  Richmond  During  the  War"  and  Mrs. 
McGuire's  '•  Diary  of  a  Southern  Kefugee;"  in  Geo.  V.  Eggles- 
ton's  "  A  Rebel's  Recollections,  "  remarkable  for  its  rca<ly  gnicc 
and  skilful  character  portniyal,  and  Keilcy's  "  In  Vinculis,"  a 
graphic  picture  of  pri-son  life  in  the  North.  Locally  interesting, 
too,  are  the  sketches  of  Lynchbui'g  and  Richmond,  written  res- 
pectively by  Mrs.  Cabell  and  Sam'l  ilordecni;  in  his  '•  Virginia 
Illustrated  "  and  "  Blackwater  Chronicle"  David  H.  Strother 
C' Porte  Crayon  ")  has  given  us  charming  pictures  of  Virginia 
scenes  and  people.  pi(;tures  in  which  sympathy  and  humorous 
appreciation  aid  in  making  the  portraiture  more  life-like.  Hut 
many  of  the  Virginia  writers  of  this  period  have  descrilx'd, 
with  that  natural  felicity  which  .seems  almost  a  gift  of  the 
soil,  strange  sights,  events,  and  characters  in  almost  every  ([uar- 
ter  of  the  world.  The  writings  of  Mr.s.  Mary  H.  Eastman  depict 
the  Indian  life  of  the  plains  with  singular  fidelity.  Elisha  Kent 
Kane,  who  spent  the  formative  period  of  his  life  at  the  Univci-sity 
of  Virginia,  has  given  us  a  plciising  and  intimate  account  of  his 
strange  experiences  amid  the  snow  and  ice  of  the  boreal  pole,  a 
setting  as  interesting  as  it  is  novel.  ]\IeSherry's  "  El  Puchero'' 
combines  an  a<eount  of  Genenil  Scott's  campaign  with  racy 
sketches  of  life  in  Mexico;  the  siime  country  and  war  are  plejus 
ingly  treated  in  Philip  St.  Georgi-  Cooke's  "Scenes  and  .\dven 
tures  in  the  Army."'  "  La  Plata,  llii'  Argentine  Confi-deration  and 
Paraguy '■  by  Thonuus  J.  Piige,  is  ranked  among  the  standaiil 
American  works  of  travel.  Life  in  the  my.stic  East  is  the  sub- 
ject of  Turner's  ••  VA  Klinds,  the  Holy;"  a  subject  aLso  treated  in 
Mrs.  Sarah  I{ar<  lay  .lohnson's  ••  Madji  in  Syria,"  in  its  day  a 
book  having  reni.irkalde  popularity. 


36  A   DISSERTATION    ON    VIRGINIA    LITERATURE. 

Of  the  same  geiu-ral  type  iis  these  narrative  and  descriptive 
works,  but  beloiigin;,'  in  a  cliuss  by  themselves,  are  the  "  Flush 
Times  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi,"  by  Joseph  G.  Baldwin,  a 
Virginian  by  birth  and  family,  and  the  various  writings  of  Dr. 
Geo.  W.  Bagby,  of  Eichmoud.  Both  meu  w  ere  humorists  of  a 
rare  order.  In  the  "Flush  Times"  we  have  quaint  genre 
pictures  of  the  strange,  almost  anomalous  civilization  to  be  found 
in  the  far  South  during  the  early  years  of  the  century,  sketches 
wherein  genuine  humor  tempers  the  siitire  and  gives  life  to  the 
characterizations.  But  the  humorist  of  the  South,  par  excellence, 
wavS  Dr.  Bagb.y.  His  ''  Letters  of  Mozis  Addums  "  meets  Artemus 
Ward  and  Bill  Nye  on  their  owu  peculiar  ground,  and  will  bear 
comparison  with  their  best  work.  Without  the  aid  of  eccentric 
spelling,  he  has  also  produced  essay.s  and  lectures  that  for  sheer 
fnu  have  few  equals  in  the  entire  range  of  American  literature. 
All  familiar  with  Bagby's  writings  will  agree  that  a  volume 
made  up  from  his  best  work  would  take  precedence  over  many 
widely-praised  productions  of  Korlhorn  humorists.  His  more 
serious  efforts  are  polished  and  elegant;  Tiiomas  Nelson  Page  has 
declared  his  "Old  Virginia  Gentleman"  the  finest  picture  of 
ante-bellum  Virginia  anywhere  to  be  found. 

Under  the  head  of  expository  and  argumentative  writings 
we  may  class  many  works  of  substantial  value  and  literary  merit, 
chiefly  reflecting  the  great  discussions  of  the  day.  Thej-e  is 
nothing  substantial,  however,  about  the  first  of  these  in  point  of 
time,  the  flighty  "Sociology  for  the  South"  and  "Cannibals 
All  "  of  George  Fitzhugh,  for  in  them  the  authoi-  pretentously 
defends  slavery  on  the  high  ground  of  the  failure  of  free  society, 
and  argues  that  cannibalism  will  inevitably  result  upon  the 
emancipation  of  the  slaves.  Far  more  logical  and  scholarly  is 
Dabney's  "Defense  of  Virginia  and  the  South,"  a  vigorous 
justification,  from  all  points  of  view,  of  domestic  slavery  as 
practiced  in  America.  The  constitutional  discussions  of  the 
time  are  well  represented  by  John  Scott's  "  The  Lost  Priiiciple," 
Wise's  "Seven  Decades  of  the  American  Union,"  and  Bledsoe's 
"Is  Davis  a  Traitor!  "  the  last  a  masterly  arraignment  of  the 
theories  of  Webster  and  Story.     By  far  tbe  ablest  newspaper 


A   DISSERTATION   OX    VIRGINIA    LITERATURE.  37 

pen  wielded  in  the  Sonth  during  the  war  wiis  that  of  John  M. 
Daniel,  editor  of  the  RUhmond  Kramintrr,  and  nianj-  were  the 
statesmen  and  generals  that  winced  at  reading  his  vitriolic 
editorials.  Among  es.sjiyists  nuaflected  by  the  stormy  times 
around  tiiem  were  St«'iihen  t'olwell,  a  jjoiitieal  economist  of  some 
not«-;  James  T.  Cabell,  author  of  ''The  Testimony  of  Modern 
Science  to  the  Unity  of  Mankind,"  and  Professor  Scheie  DeVere, 
who,  in  his  "Stray  Leaves  from  the  Book  of  Nature"  and 
"Wonders  of  the  Deej),  "  i>re.scnted  the  great  truths  of  natural 
science  in  wondrous  stories  that  vie  in  interest  with  tlie  "  Thous- 
and and  One  Nights." 

At  no  time  were  Virginia  theologians  more  prolific  as  authors 
than  immediately  before,  during,  and  ju.st  after  the  war.  At 
most  we  can  only  mention  in  pa.ssing  a  few  prominent  names, 
like  those  of  Win.  Taylor,  the  iMethodist  mi.ssionary  to  Califor- 
nia; James  A.  Pendleton,  John  A.  Broaddus  and  J.  B.  Jeter 
among  the  Baptists;  Thomas  V.  Moore  and  W.  S.  Plumer.  and 
especially  James  W.  Alexander,  Presbyt^M'ians;  J[cade  and  Spar- 
row of  the  Episcopalians;  Samuel  M.  Janney,  the  great  biogra- 
pher of  the  Friends;  Charles  P.  Krauth,  a  prominent  Lutheran 
divine  and  apologist;  and  Moneure  D.  Conway,  Unitarian,  a 
prolific  author  ahnig  many  lines,  mo.st  of  them  secular.  In  tho 
same  didactic  connection  may  be  mentioned  a  few  of  the  many 
writers  on  legal,  medical,  and  other  abstru.s«'  subjects.  Minor, 
Daniel,  Tate,  Munlbrd,  and  Sands  were  among  the  legal  writers 
of  note.  HolcomlR-,  Griflith,  Emmet,  and  Bell  made  no  .small 
additions  to  the  Iwdy  of  recorded  medical  knowledge.  The 
Drapers  won  reputations  for  them.s«'lves  a«  investigators  iu 
<'heniistry  and  medical  i)liysics.  The  list  of  textbook  writ«'rs 
is  a  long  one,  and  includes  such  well-known  names  iw  McCJnlVey, 
Hohne.s,  V'enable,  and  Hay.  Shatlner  liie  telegrapher,  Soutinill 
the  geologi.st,  Etlwards  the  naturalist,  and  Norris  the  angler, 
were  all  .scientific  authors  of  whom  Virginia  should  U-  proud. 

On  viewing  the  numerous  authors  of  fiction  produced  by  tho 
disunion  period,  we  are  at  one*'  and  forcibly  struck  by  the  dis- 
parity of  .sexes,  a  tlisparity  in  large  measure  attributable,  no 
doubt,  to  tlu'  exigencies  of  an  age  that  called  nun  to  more  prac- 


38  A   DISSEETATION   ON    VIRGHSIA  LITEEATUEE. 

tical  tasks  than  the  fashioniug  of  romances.  Of  these  many 
women  authors,  but  two  or  three  are  still  remembered.  The 
stories  of  Mrs.  Rebecca  Harding  Davis,  who  spent  the  firat  twenty 
years  of  her  life  in  Virginia,  are  still  popular  because  of  their 
earnest,  sympathetic  presentation  of  the  great  problems  of  life. 
In  the  early  seventies  appeared  "The  Holcombes"  and 
"Women"  by  Mrs.  Mary  Tucker  Magill,  in  which  a  carefullj' 
studied  local  background  gives  verisimilitude  to  stories  of  no 
mean  literary  value.  More  popular  have  been  and  still  are  the 
many  novels  of  Mrs.  Mary  V.  Terhune  ("  Marion  Harland"), 
the  earliest  of  which  belong  to  the  period  here  considered.  Mrs. 
Terhune  writes  with  distinct  literary  ease  and  tells  simple, 
wholesome  stories,  whose  histing  popularity  is  the  best  evidence 
of  their  merit.  It  is  because  their  works  possessed  no  merits 
other  than  ephemeral  that  we  no  longer  hear  of  Miss  Dupuy  and 
her  much-read  blood-and-thuuder,  gore-saturated  volumes;  of 
the  various  and  sundry  romances  of  Mrs.  Cutler,  Mi-s.  Wright, 
Mrs.  Downing,  Mrs.  Putnam,  and  Miss  Whittlesey.  Of  the  two 
masculine  romancers  of  the  period,  one  was  St.  George  Tucker, 
whose  "Hansford:  a  Tale  of  Bacon's  Rebellion  "  is  a  historical 
novel  of  some  value.  The  second  was  one  of  the  gi-eatest  novel- 
ists ever  nurtured  on  Virginia  soil — John  Esten  Cooke.  A  ro- 
mancer of  the  old  school,  well  versed  in  Virginia  traditions,  en- 
dowed with  vivid  imaginative  powers,  and  possessed  to  a  great  de- 
gree of  the  art  of  winning  and  holding  the  reader's  attention,  he 
first  devoted  himself  to  the  task  of  reproducing  and  revivifying  the 
Virginia  life  of  olden  days  in  such  stories  as  "  Fairfax,  "  "  Henry 
St.  John,  "  "The  Youth  of  Jefferson, "  and  "  The  Virginia  Come- 
dians,''the  latter  prohouuced  by  a  competent  critic  the  best 
novel  written  in  the  South  before  the  war.  After  serving  on 
Gen.  Stuart's  staff  during  the  great  civil  struggle,  he  turned  his 
efforts  at  the  close  of  hostilities  to  the  task  of  depicting  the 
actions  and  passions,  the  glories  and  regrets  of  the  Southern 
soldiery,  in  a  series  of  romances  of  which  "Surry  of  Eagle's  Nest" 
and  "Mohun"  are  the  best  known,  and  which  for  all  their 
crudities  and  sins  against  art,  remain  jierhaps  the  best  of  our 
Southern  war  novels — certainly  the  best  in  jmint  of  vigor  and 
vividness. 


A   DISSERTATION   ON    VIRGIMA   LITEEATUKE.  39 

Oftentimes  when  the  mailed  baud  of  war  plucks  rudelj'  at 
the  quiveriu}!  heart  strinjjs,  the  eoiisoiiaiit  chords  of  the  lyre 
echo  with  the  noblest  music.  No  wonder,  then,  that  mucl»  of 
the  most  melodious  poetry  ever  written  in  Virginia  Wius  directly 
inspired  by  the  dissensions  of  1S50  1876;  that  the  four  poets  who, 
under  Poe,  are  the  greatest  Virginia  li.is  yet  produced,  are  in  no 
small  degree  laureates  of  the  Civil  war.  John  R.  Thompson, 
editor  of  the  Suut/iern  Literdi'i/  Mcsscnyer,  wrote  many  of  the 
most  stirring  military  ballads  of  the  Confederacy,  lyrics  instinct 
with  brave  defiance.  After  the  close  of  the  war.  Father  Ryan 
.sjvng  in  tenderest  tones  the  de-spaire  of  a  conquei'ed  people,  whose 
sobs  seem  to  echo  in  his  every  line.  Le.ss  despondent  was  the 
message  of  James  Barnm  Hope,  who,  beside  flower  strewn  graves 
and  marble  shafts,  pointed  bravely  forward  to  the  future  and  its 
duties.  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Preston,  too,  devoted  uiuch  of  her  gen- 
uine poetic  genius  to  the  service  of  the  South;  lier  '' Beechen- 
brook:  a  Rhyme  of  the  War, ''  which  contains  the  celebrated 
"Slain  in  Battle,"  is  a  narrative  of  the  conflict  not  deserving 
the  oblivious  disregard  which  lias  been  its  lot.  Less  renowned 
singei-s  of  Southern  patriotism  were  Mi-s.  Cornelia  J.  Jordan, 
whose  "Corinth"  was  burned  by  the  Federal  authorities  as 
being  olyectiouable  and  incendiary;  Mrs.  Fannie  H.  Marr  and 
Mrs.  Mary  McFarlane,  sevenil  of  whose  poems  breathe  the  breath 
of  battle;  and  Col.  JlcCabe,  author  of  several  wartime  lyrics 
which  the  anthologi.sts  of  America  will  not  willingly  let  die. 

But  war  and  its  i)iissions  by  no  means  iu.spiied  all  the  lays 
of  these  and  other  Virginia  poets.  Before  the  oix-ning  of  hostili- 
ties, Thompson  and  Hope  did  much  of  their  best  work,  while  ii 
liost  of  lesser  singers  burned  iuceus*-  upon  the  altars  of  poesy. 
"Poems  by  Matilda"  appeared  in  18.")I,  J:unes  A.  Bartley's 
"  Lays  of  Ancient  Virginia '"  in  1855,  Lee's  '•  Virginia  Georgics '' 
in  1858,  a  volume  of  poems  by  Miss  Talley  in  1859.  The  "  Wind 
Whi.spei-s"  (ISoti)  by  Mrs.  Freiuh  w:us  followed  (1859)  by  her 
drama  "  Iztalilro.  "  After  the  war  appeared  several  volumes  of 
verse  but  .slightly  afl'ected  by  the  events  of  the  struggle,  promi- 
nent among  which  was  Mr.s.  Downing's  "Pluto,"  a  playful  ef- 
fusion sliowing  genuine  ability.  Judge  Lucas  i.ssued  his  first 
poetic  volume,  "  The  Wreath  of  Eglautiue,"  iu    1869.     One   of 


40  A   DISSERTATION   ON   VIRGINIA  LITERATURE. 

the  most  skilful  of  the  poets  of  Virginia  birth,  and  one  whose 
work  covers  the  entire  period  here  studied,  was  Christopher  P. 
Craneh,  ti-anscendentalist  and  Brook  Farmer,  who  adds  to  the 
quiet  spirituality  of  the  profound  thinker  the  artist's  apprecia- 
tion of  the  beautiful.  The  i>ost-bellum  poems  of  Kj'an  and  Hope 
that  bear  no  traces  of  war-times  are  by  no  means  inconsiderable, 
whether  regarded  ;is  to  quantity  or  iis  to  quality;  the  numerous 
poetic  volumes  issued  by  Mrs.  Preston  until  the  time  of  her 
death  in  1897  are  cosmopolitan  in  scene  and  interest. 

Taken  all  in  all,  the  poetry  written  between  the  years  1850 
and  1876  is  more  evenly  meritorious  than  that  of  any  other 
period  in  Virginia  literary  history.  We  have  noted  at  lesist  four 
poets  that  deserve  a  secure  niche  in  the  temple  of  literature. 
Thompson's  poems  exhibit  a  decided  fluency  of  ver.sificatioii, 
sparkling  wit,  playful  fancy,  humor  and  pathos  of  the  most  gen- 
uine sort.  Many  of  his  translations  from  Beranger  and  other 
French  poets  have  not  yet  been  surpassed  for  tidelity  and  grace 
of  reproductive  power.  Hope,  too,  though  his  woik  is  very  un- 
equal, deserves  to  be  remembered,  if  only  for  his  "  Charge  at 
Balaklava,"  often  compared  with  Tennyson's  similar  poem;  many 
of  his  more  extended  eiforts  such  as  the  ''  Washington  Ode  "  and 
the  "Jamestown  Ode,"  read  at  request  of  Congress,  breathe  a 
broad  and  noble  patriotism  that  impresses  us  with  its  sincerity. 
Too  great  facility  of  versification,  coujiled  with  a  certain  same- 
ness of  tone,  has  obscured  the  real  merit  of  the  poetry  of  Father 
Eyau,  the  Southland's  poet-priest,  for  underneath  the  smooth 
surface  lurks  a  depth  of  tenderness,  of  passion,  of  mighty  ww, 
that  only  the  Southerner  can  appreciate  to  the  full.  Much  t)f 
Mrs.  Preston's  best  poetry  belongs  to  a  subsequent  period,  but 
from  the  first  she  showed  herself  endowed  with  genuine  ability. 
Her  muse  is  a  gentle,  not  a  fiery  one,  and  rarely  soai-s  with  her 
far  above  earthly  levels.  Charm  of  expression,  imaginative 
grace,  moral  and  si>iritual  nobility — these  are  the  qualities  that 
will  endear  lier  verses  to  those  who  turn  with  gratitude  to  "  the 
simple  and  heartfelt  lay." 


A    DISSERTATION   ON   VIKOINIA    MTERATURK.  41 

TiiK  Pekiou  oi'  Keunion. 

(187G ) 

For  sevei-.il  ira-soiis  it  .st'i-ins  lu-itlier  iiecessjiry  nor  deHimble 
to  foiisider  tlu'  litfi-atinv  of  reunion  in  the  s|H'cilic  luiinncr  em- 
l)loyo(l  introating  of  the  piveediiin  iiteraiy  i)«'ri<j(ls.  First  of  all, 
this  literature  is  too  reeent  to  admit  of  just  critieisin;  we  have  not 
yet  the  proper  perspeetive  to  aid  us  in  formulating  judgments. 
Xot  only  is  the  seal  of  time  wanting  upon  this  literature,  but 
many  of  its  authoi^s  themselves  avr  yet  alive,  and  their  U-st  work 
is  still  to  do.  It  would  be  unfair  to  consitler  ius  final  that  whieh 
we  have  reason  to  hoite  is  but  an  earnest  of  Ix'lter  things  to  come; 
the  ta.sk,  moreover,  of  eritieising  the  living  is  ever  an  ungrateful 
one.  Finally,  the  jwriod  itself  is  ineomplele.  The  .sjime  forivH 
that  have  acted  upon  Virginia  during  the  hujt  twenty-five  years 
are  still  acting,  and  promise  to  Ije  the  dominant  developiug 
factoi-8  in  the  yeara  to  come.  It  is  needless  to  ilisen.ss  them  at 
length,  for  they  may  Ir-  felt  on  every  hand,  their  spirit  inhaled 
with  every  passing  breath.  Slowly  but  surely  the  peculiarities 
of  aute-bellum  Virginia  are  wearing  away,  and  the  typical  Vir- 
ginian is  iK'ing  ledi.ced  to  the  aver.igc  American.  The  baron 
of  the  James  is  no  more,  his  broad  acres  have  iK-f'u  divided, 
his  descendants  jostle  with  the  crowds  on  the  streets  of  Virginia 
cities.  The  spirit  of  active  coniinercialism  is  tnmsforming  the 
land.  Bold  were  it  to  declare  that  the  change  is  not  a  good  one; 
in  literature  it  hius  certainly  Ikm-u  for  the  be.st.  Vet  the  litemry 
revolution  is  not  complete.  Not  yet  is  the  calling  of  letters  the 
noblest  of  all  callings.  Xot  yet,  .siiys  Page,  does  the  Virginian 
realize  that  a  man  can  write  books  and  .still  1m'  a  g<M)d  lawyer; 
much  less  is  the  man  who  sinijily  writes  Ixjoks  a  man  of  highest 
mark.  For  publishers  and  largely  for  audienc*-,  the  Virginia 
author  must  seek  the  North;  the  most  ct»ngenial  literary  atmos- 
phere is  .still  to  U'  found  without  tin-  confines  of  the  Slate.  Till 
thes*'  things  are  untrue;  till  the  cities  of  Virginia  an-  at  \vasl  in 
some  stMise  literary  centres;  till  the  atmosphere  i>f  Virginia  i.H 
redoh-nt  of  literary  appre<iation.  tlit;  work  of  tin-  period  of  it;- 
uuion  will  not  have  been  <-ompleted. 


42  A   DISSERTATION   ON   VIRGINIA   LITERATURE. 

The  historical  and  biographical  writings  of  the  day  coutiuue 
to  show  the  .suinc  geneial  character  as  those  produced  duriug  the 
years  of  disunion.  Military  biographies  are  popular  with  the 
general  reader,  and  the  production  of  them  re8t>s  as  a  boundeu 
duty  upon  the  Southern  historian,  anxious  to  see  justice  rendered 
to  heroes  whose  mighty  deeds  are  often  belittled,  whose  motives 
are  misrepresented.  Lee,  the  idol  of  the  South,  has  been  con- 
sidered from  every  point  of  view  by  such  writers  as  Jno.  Wil- 
liam Jones,  A.  L.  Long,  and  Fitzhugh  Lee,  the  great  commander's 
nephew.  H.  B.  McClellan  h;us  contributed  to  war  literature  an 
exhaustive  account  of  "  Stuart's  Cavalry  Campaigns,"  a  subject 
more  lightly  and  entertainingly  touched  ui)on  in  Mosby's  "  War 
Reminiscences.''  Allen,  Taylor,  and  others  have  aided  in  fur- 
nishing clearer  accounts  of  the  campaigns  of  Lee  and  Jackson; 
the  "  War  Talks  of  Confederate  Veterans,"  edited  by  Geo.  S. 
Bernard,  contains  much  vr.lr.able  historical  data.  Less  warlike 
are  the  "  Life  of  Henry  A.  Wise  "  by  his  grandson,  and  Mrs. 
Susan  P.  Lee's  "  Memoirs  of  William  Nelson  Pendleton."  Brad- 
ley T.  Johnson's  ''  Washington  "  treats  largely  of  the  patriot's 
private  life.  Altogether  peaceful  in  tone  are  Tyler's  historical 
and  biographical  volumes,  Dabney's  "Randolph,"  Mrs.  Row- 
laud's  valuable  lives  of  George  Mason  and  Charles  Carroll,  Wil- 
liam Wirt  Henry's  "Patrick  Henry,"-one  of  the  most  satisfactory- 
of  American  biographical  productions — and  Trent's  "William 
Gilmore  Simms,''  a  masterly,  if  prejudiced,  volume  that  early 
heralded  its  author  as  the  rising  critic  of  the  South.  Here,  too, 
should  be  mentioned  Conway's  "  Life  of  Edmund  Randolph," 
one  of  the  most  valuable  historical  productions  fi'om  the  pen  of 
that  prolific  clergyman.  As  typical  of  a  sort  of  writing  in 
which  Virginians  are  prone  to  indulge  may  be  cited  Hayden's 
"  Virginia  Genealogy,"  and  "Lee  of  Virginia"  by  Edmund 
Jennings  Lee. 

Local  history  continues,  and  rightly  so,  to  demand  attention; 
Slaughter,  Peyton,  and  Waddell  have  all  garnered  much  valuable 
material  for  the  future  historian  of  the  State.  The  great  Vir- 
ginia historian  is  still  to  appear,  though  recent  years  have  given 
us  the  most  interesting  and  literary  account  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion yet  written:  Cooke's  "Virginia,  "  a  work  which  will  prob- 


A    DISSERTATION    ON    VUUIIXIA    I.ITERATUHE.  43 

ably  outlive  the  author's  novels.  Bruce,  too,  lias  written  tho 
economic  history  of  the  State  in  the  seventeenth  century,  whili; 
Alexander  Brown  has  tilled  many  volumes  with  his  valuable  dis- 
coveries concerning  the  earliest  yeai-s  <if  the  nation,  masses  of 
cold,  unrelieved  fad  that  prove  him  a  tyj)ical  member  of  the 
dri'iusdust  historical  school.  Louisiana,  Mi.ssi.ssipi)i,  an*l  Texas 
have  been  historically  tix-ated  by  authors  of  Virj^inia  birth; 
other  Virginiaus  have  gone  still  farther  afield  and  found  PVauce, 
China,  Japan,  Morocco,  Cuba,  interesting  sulyect.s  for  their  pens. 

Partly  historical  and  ])artly  expository  are  the  writings  of 
\V.  W.  Willonghby  and  his  brother,  and  thasc  of  Ricliard  VV. 
Thomjjson,  all  Virginians  by  birth.  The  most  concise  exposi- 
tion of  Southern  con.stitntional  theories  yet  produced  is  Curry's 
"Southern  States  of  the  American  Union,"  but  one  of  many 
volumes  from  this  gifted  pen,  just  (l!tO;J)  laid  aside  at  death's 
bidding.  By  far  the  ablest  among  the  expository  historians  of 
Southern  birth  is  Woodrow  Wilson,  of  Staunton,  whos*-  i-ecent 
"  History  of  the  United  States"  promises  to  become  a  standanl 
work. 

War  expei-iences  have  naturally  cnntinui'd  to  he  p()|>ular 
with  narrative  and  desciiptive  writers.  Wilkin.son,  McCarthy, 
an<l  Maury  have  given  us  vivid  pictures  of  war  and  its  blended 
horrors  and  humora.  Not  limited  to  war,  though  largely  dealing 
with  it,  is  "The  End  of  an  Era"  by  .John  S.  Wi.se,  one  of  the 
cleverest  books  written  in  recent  yeai-s.  The  old  lime  South, 
witli  its  breath  of  roses  and  tlnttt-r  of  faded  silks,  lives  again  iu 
the  pages  of  Mi.ss  Burwell  and  Mix.  Sniedcs,  who  write  of  the 
past  with  love  and  reverence.  Less  frei|nently  than  of  yoi-« 
such  authors  as  Di'.  Harrison  cany  us  abroad  and  allow  us  tho 
Ix'auties  of  foreign  climes. 

During  late  yeai-s  Virginia  has  i>roduced  but  few  theologi- 
ans of  literary  note,  among  wlioin  the  principal  are  Grauljcrry, 
Kerr,  McKim,  and  Toy.  Few  eminent  medical  ti-eatiws  have 
been  produced  by  Virginians  during  the  la.s|  twenty  live  yeara; 
few  noteworthy  vulumes  have  been  added  to  the  literature  of  the 
law.  In  the  production  of  valuable  le.\l  iMxik.s,  however,  tliero 
has  Im'i-ii  mo  perceptible  diminution;  rather,  an   increasi'. 


44  A   DISSERTATION   ON    VIEGINIA    LITEEATDBE. 

In  respect  to  poetry,  Virginia,  like  the  world  at  large,  seems 
to  be  suffering  from  an  interregnum.  If,  then,  we  can  record 
few  names  of  poetic  note,  we  must  remember  that  the  world's 
living  poets  are  few.  Of  todaj^'s  Southern  singers,  the  sweetest 
and  teuderest,  perhaps,  is  of  Virginia  birth.  Proud  should  his 
mother  state  be  to  claim  that  Father  Tabb,  who,  in  his  quiet 
way,  is  laying  the  foundation  of  something  more  than  passing 
fame.  His  muse  is  content  to  guide  him  through  gentle  pastures: 
the  rocky  heights  are  seldom  scaled;  great  flights  of  song  are 
rarely  attempted.  But  his  brief  lyrics,  his  simple  sonnets,  are 
bits  of  amber  wherein  are  preserved  the  purest,  loveliest  gems  of 
thought.  By  virtue  of  having  once  been  his  home,  Virginia  may 
lay  part  claim  to  William  Jf.  Johnston,  a  i)oet  of  more  than 
local  reputation;  the  verse  of  Charles  W.  Coleman,  her  own 
sou,  gives  evidence  of  poetic  facility;  the  lyiics  of  Mrs.  Dan- 
dridge  trip  lightly  and  musically  along;  Gordon  and  Page  have 
revived  in  verse  the  negro  of  past  days;  the  "  Herod  and  Mari- 
amne"  of  the  Princess  Troubetzkoy  (Amelie  Rives)  has  been 
declared  by  a  competent  critic  to  surp.iss  the  similar  work  of 
Stephen  Phillips  in  fire  and  vigor.  The  names  of  minor  versifiers 
might  be  multiplied,  but  would  generally  prove  meaningless,  for, 
save  in  rare  instances,  their  lyrics  ha\e  failed  to  reach  the  pub- 
lic ear  or  sti-ike  a  reponsive  chord  in  the  human  breast. 

If  the  poetic  harvest  of  the  present  be  somewhat  scant,  we 
may  at  least  point  proudly  to  our  field  of  fiction.  Here,  indeed, 
have  the  authors  of  Virginia  gone  far  beyond  the  majority  of 
their  predecessors  and  won  for  themselves  much  fame. 
Among  the  writers  surviving  from  a  preceding  period,  Mrs. 
Davis  has  continued  to  publish  jiroblem  novels  of  the  simpler 
cliis.s,  and  Mrs.  Terhune  luxs  multiplied  her  productions  till  they 
cover,  and  cover  well,  every  subject  from  ca-stle  fo  kitchen.  For 
many  yejirsJohn  E.sten  Cooke  continued  to  fashion  robes  of  ro- 
mance wherewith  to  adorn  the  cavaliers  of  the  South,  till,  finding 
himself  in  an  age  that  knew  him  not  but  paid  liomage  at  realistic 
shrines,  he  relintiuished  literature  as  a  profession  and  retired  to 
the  i)eace  of  his  counti'y  home.  Georg<'  V.  Eggleston  still  contiinies 
to  delight  a  wide  audience,  to  >vhich  he  has  added  a  large  and 


A    niSSIORTATION    OX    VIKdlNIA     I.ITEBATURE.  15 

not  iiiici-iliciil  <|ii(ilii  (if  lioy.s.  I'lci'iiiincnl  iiiiioni^  living  aiitlioi-s, 
however,  isTlioiiuis  Nelson  I'lif^e,  \vlios«- first  volume  appeiired  in 
l.SST.  His  style  is  (liiwless,  liis  inia};iii:itioii  powt-rful,  liis  humor 
and  pathos  geiuiiue,  his  mission  of  llu>  nol»le.>st.  His  skelehes  in 
Vjlack  and  white  will  long;, — i)erliaps  always — remain  our  most 
faithful  pietures  of  the  South  of  olden  days.  Virginia's  other 
noteworthy  novelists  of  the  i)resent  period  have  all  In-en  women, 
to  whom  t>e  great  slf>''y  '"'it  they  liave  carried  her  literary  fame 
so  liij^h.  The  stories  of  JIi-s.  MeClellaiid,  Jlrs.  Hnrton  Harrison, 
and  Mi's.  F.  C'.  Baylor  are  known  throughout  the  country,  in 
the  North  as  well  as  in  the  South.  The  name  of  Miss  Manriider 
carries  with  it  a  promise  of  charminjr  grace  of  treatnuMit  that 
always  appeals  to  the  public,  just  as  that  of  Miss  Seawell  suggests 
8i)rightliness  and  romantic  vigor.  The  Prince.ss  TronlK-tzkoy, 
for  all  the  uneven  quality  of  her  work,  luus  V)een  j-alled  ''the 
most  brilliant,  versiitile,  and  talented  woman  who  has  appeare<l 
in  the  realm  of  literature  in  recent  years."  Here,  too,  should 
be  mentioned  the  name  of  Miss  Davis,  the  ''daughter  of  tlie  Con- 
federacy," whos(>  early  death  cut  short  a  career  of  much  literary 
promi.se.  The  very  latest  and  perhaps  the  best  known  of  Vir- 
ginia novelists  are  Misst-s  Mary  .Fohn.ston  and  Kllen  Ghusgow; 
both  excel  in  grace  of  style  and  vigor  of  descriptive  ability; 
though  the  former  has  the  greater  present  reputation,  it  seems 
.safe  to  predict  that  the  strong,  forceful  novels  of  the  latt4>r  will 
outlive  the  somewhat  sw;ushl)uckling  romances  of  lier  eont«'m- 
porary.  Of  the  no  less  than  forty  minor  iKiveii.sts  of  the  period, 
it  seems  well  to  mention  here  a  few  wlio  have  realized  the  value 
of  depicting  .scenes  with  which  they  are  familiar;  of  pre.st-rving 
the  traditions  of  their  native  state.  The.se  are  Mi-s.  Bo\ive,  Mi-s. 
Bosher,  Mis.ses  Bryan,  Ca.sth'man,  and  Kwell,  Mrs.  Moran  and 
Miss  Win.ston,  John  ().  Casler,  (Jniham  ("laytor,  Virginius  Dab 
ney,  ami  Francis  Fontaine.  All  of  the.s«>  writei-s,  however  falter- 
ingly,  have  told  .some  .story  of  Virginia  life,  jMUst  or  j)re«cnt; 
liave  not  strayed  afar  after  strange  gods,  but  have  written  feel- 
ingly of  the  scenes  they  knew  best.  It  is  along  these  lines  that 
the  literature  of  Virginia  must  advance  if  it  would  In-  sure  of  itw 
progress. 


46  A   DIBSEKTATION   ON   VIRGINIA    LITERATTJBE. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  be  well  to  note  the  conditions  now 
prevalent  by  which  that  progress  promises  to  be  hastened  or  re- 
tarded. We  have  already  seen  that  in  the  present  period  the 
former  peculiarities  of  Virginia  civilization  so  hostile  to  the  de- 
velopment of  literature  have  in  large  measure  disappeared. 
Literary  conservatism  is  vanishing;  the  calling  of  the  author  is 
coming  to  be  more  highly  esteemed;  the  growth  of  literary  interest 
is  shown  in  the  growth  of  Virginia  publishing  houses  and  the 
attempted  establishment  of  Virginia  magazines.  But  what  Vir- 
ginia needs  most,  and  what  she  possesses  in  greater  degree  every 
day,  is  not  mere  literary  interest  but  positive  literary  enthusi- 
asm. Casting  aside  i>rovincialisin,  ceasing  to  believe  that  Eng- 
land and  the  pa.st  hold  all  the  ti'casures  of  literary  ^-alue,  realiz- 
ing the  inherent  worth  of  letters  and  the  litterateur,  she  must 
learn  not  to  sneer  at  the  efforts  of  her  owu  children,  however 
crude,  but  to  urge  them  ever  forward  in  their  work.  She  must 
prove  by  her  interest  in  the  Virginia  literature  of  the  past  that 
those  who  devote  themselves  to  the  service  of  letters  shall  never 
be  forgotten.  Yet  the  people  of  Virginia  must  .join  with  their 
enthusiasm  a  firmly  critical  spirit,  must  apply  the  severest  tests. 
Without  despising  the  imperfect,  they  must  demand  nothing  less 
than  perfection.  Then,  indeed,  will  the  author's  calling  be  of  the 
noblest.  Then  we  will  have  more  men  and  women  following 
literature  as  a  profession;  we  will  have  less  work  that  is  amateur- 
ish, frivolous,  the  pastime  of  idle  moments.  It  is  only  by  con- 
stant application  and  ardent  apprenticeship — no  half-way  alle- 
giance to  letters — that  Virginia  authors  can  accomplish  their 
task,  can  discharge  the  responsibility  that  rests  ujjou  them  to 
make  the  literature  of  Virginia  worthy  of  the  State.  ITpou  them 
must  fall  tlu^  ignominy  if  they  fail  to  succeed;  the  means  of  suc- 
cess are  ready  to  tlieir  hands.  Virginia  with  her  natural  beauty, 
her  noble  civilization,  and  her  glorious  i)a.st,  oilers  the  fairest  of 
fields  for  novelist,  poet,  and  historian;  Vii'ginia  authors  need 
not  seek  their  subjects  far  from  home.  To  treat  these  subjects 
they  are  well  equipped.  Themselves  the  centre  of  the  most 
purely  Anglo-Saxon  society  in  America,  they  inherit  a  literary 
language  pure  and  uudefiled.  They  are  heirs,  moreover,  of  a 
mauuer  of  literary  treatment  which  in  its  warmth,  sincerity,  and 


A    DISSERTATION    ON    VIR(;INU    LITERATURK.  17 

unaffected  Bimplicity,  is  unsurpaKsed  in  tin-  world.  Iiilicritinf;  a 
wealth  of  themes,  inherit iiij;  u  Ix'unty  of  style,  let  them  work 
uneoasinf^ly  to  win  perfeetion  with  the  means  at  hand.  Let  the 
authors  of  Virginia  seek  to  treat  earnestly  the  suhjeets  with 
which  they  are  familiar,  in  the  fashion  wliich  is  nat u nil ly  theirs, 
and,  by  beinp  true  to  themselves  and  their  mission,  they  will  pro- 
duce a  literature  worthy  to  Ik'  called  typical  not  only  of  Virginia 
hut  of  the  whole  western  world. 


48  A  CHECKLIST   OF   VIRGINIA    WRITERS. 


A  CHECK-LIST  OF  VIRGINIA    WRITERS. 


Including  Only  Those  Virginians  Who  Tublished  Books 
Between  the  Years  1(507  and  1901. 


In  the  coini)ilatioii  of  tins  list,  roitinii  licliiiitt'  limitations 
have  been  observed.  There  are  here  included  only  those  writers 
who  may  justly  be  called  Virginians  because  of  birth  in  the  State, 
or  because  of  residence  iu  Virginia  during  some  very  long  or 
very  important  period  of  their  lives;  those  whom  the  compiler 
believes  to  have  been  Virginians  without  being  absolutely  certain 
of  the  fact,  are  distinguished  by  means  of  asterisks.  Authors 
whose  pen-names  only  are  known,  have  not  been  recorded,  and 
cross-references  have  always  been  made  to  the  real  names  of 
writers  best  known  by  their  pseudonyms.  The  list  has  been 
further  limited  by  omitting  the  names  of  all  who  have  not  pub- 
lished books, — for  instance,  the  writers  of  uewspaper  or  magazine 
articles,  and  even  of  pamphlets  or  speeches  separately  published. 

The  hundreds  of  sources  from  which  this  list  ha.s  been  com- 
piled cannot  lie  mentioned  here;  it  is,  however,  due  Mrs.  Kate 
S.  Paul,  of  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  to  say  that  a  MS.  list  of  Vir- 
ginia authors  prepared  by  lier  has  been  of  the  very  greatest 
value  in  supplying  a  large  amount  of  infoi'ination  not  elsewhere 
to  be  found.  But,  though  the  comi)iler  has  done  his  best  to  make 
this  list  exhaustive  and  accurate,  he  is  well  aware  of  the  fact 
that  it  is  very  far  from  being  either  complete  or  errorless;  he 
hopes,  therefore,  that  those  who  discover  its  faults  will  make 
them  known  to  him  and  thus  lead  to  their  correction. 


A  CUECK  LIST  OK  VIIuaNIA  WRITEKS. 


49 


"  Addiims,  Mozis" 

(See  Baghy,  (Jcoific   W. ) 
Alexander,  Archibald 
Alexander,  James  Waddell 
Alfred,  George 
Alfrieud,  Edward  Morrison 
Alfriend,  Frank  H. 
Allan,  Mrs.  Eli/alH-th  Preston 
Allan,   William 
Allen,  Henry  Wat  kins 
Allen,  S.  Brown 
Allmond,  Marcns  Biakey 


Ambler,  Ja<-(|nlin 
*Amis,  Mrs.  K.  H. 
Andei-son,  Florcnee 
Anderson,  L.  B. 
Andrews,  Mi-s.  Marietta  M. 
Arni.stron};.  (Jeorge  Dodd 
Arm.strong,  Mrs.  M.  F. 
Armstrong,  William  JcKsnp 
Arnold,  B.  W. 
Asliton,  Lawrence 
Atkinson,  George  Wesley 


Baron,  Alice  MaU'l 
Bacon,  Snsixn  liee 
Bagby,  Alfred,  Jr. 
Bagby,  George  William 
Bailey,  John 
Bailey,  Peter 
Bailey,  Koberl 
Baird,  SiimucI  Jnlm 
Baldwin,  Joseph  (i. 
Ballagh,  James  Curtis 
Banister,  John 
Banks,  Henry 

"  Barbaros.s;i  "  (S«M'  Scott,  Jno.  ) 
Barbour,  James 
Barclay,  James  Turner 
Barkstlale,  C  K. 
Barnnm,   Mrs.  Frances  Courte- 
uay  Baylor 


B 

Barrett,  P. 

Ilariinger,  I'anl    Hramlon 

Hartley,  James  Avis 

Barton,  Koln-rt  I. 

Biirton,  W.  S. 

Ikixter,  George  Addison 

Baylor,  Frances  ('<inrlenay 

(Si'c  Barnum,  Mi-s.) 
Baylor,  J.  B. 
Baync,  George  Mi<ldleton 
Bayne,  Howard  K. 
Bcale,  Helen  G. 
B.-alc,  Mrs.  Maria  Taylor 
lU-alc,  Hichanl  L.  T. 
*B«attie,  Francis  R. 
Beckwonrth,  James  P. 
ISetlinger,  Henry  M. 


50 


A  CHECK- LIST   OF  VIRGINIA  WRITERS. 


Bfll,  Agiippa  Nelson 

Bell,  Johu  W. 

Bennett,   Mrs.  Martha  Hayues 

Butt 
Bennett,  William  W. 
Berkeley,  Sir  William 
Bernard,  George 
Bernard,  Stephen 
Beverly,  Robert 
Bibb,  George  M. 
Bickley,  George  W.  L. 
Binga,  A.,  Jr. 
Birch,  Thomas  E. 
Bird,  Mrs.  Mary  Page 
Bitting,  C.  C. 
Blackburn,  J.  S. 
Blackford,  Charles  M. 
Blackford,  Mrs.  Susan  Leigh 
Blackwell,  James  DeRuyter 
Blackwell,  Johu  S. 
*Blackwell,  R. 
Blackwell,  Robert  Emory 
Blsettermauu,  George 
Blaine,  Henry  Gordon 
Blair,  James 
Blair,  John  Dnrbarrow 
Blair,  Lewis  H. 
Blair,  Walter 
Bland,  Richard 
Bland,  Theodoiic 
Bledsoe,  Albert  Taylor 
Blount,  Annie  R. 
Boardman,  John 
Boatwright,  Frederic  William 
Bocock,  J.  W". 
Bocock,  Sarah  M. 
Boiling,  R. 
Bolton,  James 


Bonnycastle,   Charles 
Bonsai,  Stephen 
Boogher,  William  Frederick 
='=Booker,  George  A. 
Bosher,  Mrs.  Kate  Langloy 

"  Boswell " 

(See  Johnson,  William  B. ) 
"-*=Bosworth,  Edward  W. 
Botts,  John  Minor 
Boucher,  Jonathan 
Bouldiu,  Powhatan 
Bourne,  George 
Bouve,  Mrs.  Pauline  Carringtou 

Rust 
Bowen,  L.  P. 
Bowling,  William  King 

Bowyer,  James  T. 

Boyd,   Belle 

(See  Hardinge,  Mrs.) 

Boyd,  Charles  R. 

Boyd,  Mrs.  L. 

Bradford,  John 

Bradley,  A.  G. 

Bradley,      Mrs.     Mary      Emily 
Neeley 

Bradley,  Thomas  Bibb 

Branch,  William,  Jr. 

Brannon,  Henry 

Braxton,  Carter 

Braxton,  Carter  M. 

Breckinridge,  Mrs.  Julia  Antony 

Broaddus,  Andrew 

Broaddus,  Andrew  ("ind) 

Broadhcad,  Garland  Carr 

Broadus,  Annie  M. 

Broadus,  John  Albert 

Broadus,  Rosalie  Madison 

Brock,  Robert  Alouzo 


II 


A  CHErK  LIST   Ol'  VIUCilNIA   WUITKK.'*. 


M 


Brork,  Sarah  A. 

(See  rutiiaiii,  Mrs.  S.  A.) 
Brockenl)ri)iij;h,  John  White 
Brockeiibroiigli,    William 
Brockenbroii^h,  William   11. 
Brockett,  F.  L. 
Brooke,  F.  T. 
Brooks,  EiwiH'/.cr 
Brown,  Aaron   Vail 
Brown,   Alexander 
Brown,  (ilcnn 
Browu,  John 
Brown,    Kenneth 
Brown,   Keid 
Brown,  Sanuiel 
Browne,  Henry 

Brownlow,  William  (";annaway 
Bniee,  Eilwanl  C'aledon 
Bruce,  Philip  Alexander 
Bruce,  Tlionia.s 
BnuT,  W.  ('abell 


Bryan,  Daniel 
Bryan,  t]niaia  I^yon 
Bryan,  Thomas  Barl)our 
Bryee,   C.  A. 
Bryee,  T.  T. 
Buchanan,  Jose|>h 
Bul'ord,  Fli/abeth   Burgess 
Burj;wyn,    I'ollinsun   J'ierrepont 

Fdwaids 
Hnrk,  Jolin    Daly 
Burke,  William' 
Burk.s,  Martin  P. 
Burrow.s,  J.  L. 
Burton,  H.   W. 
Burwell,  Letitia  ^f. 
Burwcll,  William  M. 
Butler,  Nathaniel 
Butt.   Martha  Hayne.s 

(See  B<iinett.  Mi-s.  M.H.B.) 
Byrd,  William 


Cabell,  James  Tjawrencc 
Cabell,  Mrs.  Isa  CarriiiKlon 
Cabell,  Mrs.  J.  Grattan 
Cabell,  .T()s<'ph  Carrinpton 
Cabell,  Mrs.  Julia  Mayo 
♦Cabell,  N.  F. 
"Cairns,   Kate  " 


Campbell,  .Mexander  .\u(;untu.s 
('am])l>ell,  .'Mexander  James 
Cami)bell.  Charles 
("am]>lHll,  J.  Mason 
Cami)lM-ll,  .lolin  Lyie 
Campbell,  John  Poape 
("amiilx-ll,  John  Wilson 


(Si'e  Bosher,  ■Mrs.  Kate  L. )  CampUll,  I^.l>ert    F. 
Caldwell,  Mrs.  Willie  Walker     CamplM-ll,  William  A. 


Call,  Daniel 

Callender,  James  Thoma8 
Csimeron,  Flenry  Clay 
Cameron,  William  K. 
Campbell,  Alexander 


"Cappleman,  Jcwie  Frazco 
Carleton,   Henry 
Carnetix,  Fnince**  D. 

(SceKeister,  Min.  F.  C.) 


52 


A  OHEOK-LI8T  OF  VIRGINIA  WEITEES. 


Carpenter,  Franklin  Eenben 

Carroll,  David  Lyim 

Carroll,  James  P. 

Carter,  K.  R. 

Carter,  St.  Leger  Landon 

Carter,  William  Page 

Cartwright,  Peter 


Cleland,  Thomas 
*Clemens,  Nannie 
Clover,  Lewis  P. 
Cluverins,  Thomas  Jndson 
Coale,  Charles  B. 
Cobbs,  Nicholas  Hanincr 
Cocke,  A.  R. 


Caruthers,  William  Alexander  Cocke,  Philip  St.  George 


Cocke,  William  Archer 
Coghill,  James  H. 
Colaw,  John  Marvin 
Cole,  Ricliard  Bi>\<"rl.v 
*Coleman,  William  D. 
Coleman,  William  Emmett 


Cary,  Gillie 
Cary,  Mrs.  Virginia 
Casler,  John  Overton 
Castleman,  Virginia  Carter 
Catlett,  James  M. 
Chalmers,  Mrs.  Anna  Meade 
Chamberlayne, Churchill  Gibson  Coles,  Edward 
Chambliss,  William  Parham       Coles,  John  J. 
Chancellor,  Charles  Williams      Collins,  Charles 
Chandler,  J.  A.  C.  Colson,  R. 

Chanler,  Mrs.  Amelie  Rives        Colwell,  Stephen 
(See  Tronl)etszkoy, Princess)  Conrad,  T.  N. 


Chapman,  John  Gadsby 
Chapman,  Nathaniel 
Chesterman,  William  Dallas 
Chilton,  Eldward 
Chisolm,  Julian  John 
Christian,  W.  Asbury 
Claiborne,  G,  M. 
Claiborne,  John  Herbert 
Claiborne,  Nathaniel  Herbert 
Clark,  George  Rogers 
Clark,  R.  E. 
Clark,  William 
Clark,  William  L.,  Jr. 
Clarke,  Peyton  Ncale 
Clarkson,  Henry  Mazyck 
Clay,  Henry 
Clayton,  John 
Claytor,  Graham 


Converse,  Henry  D. 
Conway,  Monciire  Daniel 
Cooke,  John  Esten 
Cooke,  Philip  Pendleton 
Cooke,  Philip  St.  George 
Co))land,  Antoinette  Sheppard 
Cooper,  Samuel 
Corbin,    Sirs.     Diana    Fontaine 

Maury 
Cory,  Charles  Henry 
Cotton,  Mrs.  An 
Courtenay,  Edward  Henry 
Conrtenay,  John 
Cowan,  Pamela  H. 
Cowan,  Robert 
Cox,  Edward  Travers 
Coxe,  Henry  Carletou 


A  CHECK-LIST   OF  VIK<;IMA   WklTKKH.  5.'} 

CoyiHT,  Ch;irh-.s  Liitbor  Crws,  John  Jaincs  UoImtIsou 

Craighill,  Hobfit  S.  Crow,     Mrs.     Hu.s;iii     Wilcox 

Craifihill,  William  Price  Hiibanl 

C'raiuh,  C'lirisloplicr  Pears*;  Curry,  .lalx-z  Lamar  .Moniw 

Crane,  William  Carey  t=Curry,  John  1*. 

Crawford,  J.  Marshall  CiissoiiH,  John 

*Ciawlorcl,  T.  P.  ( Uistis,  George  W  a s  h  i  n  g  t  o  u 

"Crayon,  Porte"  I'arke 

(See  Strotlier,  l>avi<l  II.)  Culler,  Mra.  Lizzie  Petit 
Cringan,  Mrs.  J.    W. 

D 

Dabiipy,  Charles  William  Davies,  Samuel 

Dabney,  Uichard  Daviess,  Joseidi  Hamilton 

Ualincy,  liiehard  Heath  Davis,  Heury  Winter 

Dabney,  Robert  Lewis  Davis,  John 

Dabney,  Virgiuiiis  Davis,  John  A.  (J. 

Dabney,  Walter  I).  Davis,  Martha  Ann 

Dabney,  William  Ce<il  Davis,  Mrs.  Mary  Dniguid 

Dai^g,  John  Leadley  Davis,  Noah  Knowles 

*Dalby,  J.  Arnold  Davis,  Kebeeea  Uardinj^ 

Daiidridge,    Jlrs.  Danske  I>e<l  Davi.s,  Varina  Anne  Jetlerson 

inger  Davi.s,  Varina  Howell  JetVui-son 

Danfoitli,  Joshua  Xoltle  Davis.son,  Anaiiiius 

•  Dange,  Henri"  Day,  Mrs.  W.  C. 

(Si-e  Hammond,Mi>i.H.H.)  DeIliLs.s,   Willis 

Daniel,  Frederick  S.  Delaware,  Tlionuis  We.st,    I.,<ird, 

Daniel,  Ferdinand    E.  Di-nny,  («e4>rge   Hnlehe.son 

Daniel,  John  Moncnre  DeVer<',  Maximilian  S<'liele 

Daniel,  John   Warwick  Dew,  Thomas  Roderick 

Daniel,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Cary  I>iKK«'''S  I>iidl(y 

Daniels,  Josephus  Dillard,  James  llanl\ 

Diusliiel,  T.  G.  Dillon,  John  Brown 

'■  Da.shmore,  Frank  "  *Dii ck,  Charles  H. 

(S«'e  Downing, Mi-s.  F.  M.  )  Dinwiddie,  RoIm-H 

Davidson,  John  D.  Dinwiddle,  Williuiii 


54 


A  CHECK-LIST  OF  VIKGINIA  WRITERS. 


*Dixon,  Francis  B. 
Dixon,  Tliomas,  Jr. 
Dodd,  Jauies  B. 
Doddridge,  Joseph 
Dodge,  Jacob  Richards 
Doggett,  Daniel  Seth 
Donelson,  Joliu 
Doswell,  Sallie  J. 
Douglas,  Margaret  Crittondeu 
Dove,  John 
Dowd,  Mary  Alice 
Dowel],  Greensville 
Dowler,  Benuet 
Downing,  Mrs.  Prances  Mur- 
daugh 


Draper,  Henry 

Draper,  John  Christopher 

Drewry,  William  Sidney 

Dudley,  Thoma.s  Underwood 

Duggan,  Mrs.  Janie  Prifchard 

Duke,  Richard  Thomas  Walker 

Duuaway,  T.  S. 

Duncan,  James  Armstrong 

Dunglison,  Robley 

Duuuington,  Frank  P. 

Dupuy,  Eliza  Ann 

DuVal,  John  Pope 

DuVal,   W. 


E 


Early,  John 

Early,  Jiibal  Anderson 

"Earnest,  Elsie" 

(See  Scruggs,  Mrs.  M.V.S.) 
Easter,  Marguerite  Elizabetli 

Millar 
Eastman,  Mrs.  Mary  Henderson 
*Easton,  William  Edgar 
Edwards,  Emory 
Edwards,  John  Ellis 
Edwards,  Landou  Brame 
Ed  wards,  Mrs. Matilda  Caroline 

Smiley 
^Edwards,  Richard 
Edwards,  Sue 
Edwards,  William  Emorj' 
Edwards,  William  Henry 


Efiinger,  John  Robert 

Egglestou,  George  Cary 

Egglcston,  R.  Beverly 

Elenjay,  Louise 

Ellison,  Matthew, 

Ellwood,  John  K. 

Elwes,  A.  W. 

Emmet,  Thouuis  Addis 

Empie,  Adam 

E\'ans,    Elizabeth    H  e  w  1  i  a  g  8 

Stockton 
Eveline,  Robert 
EweU,  Alice  Maud 
Ewell,  T. 
Ewiug,  Finis 
Exclerc,  Daniel 


'! 


A  CHECKLIST  OF  VIKtilMA   WKITEU8.  56 

P 


Fairfifltl,  Eaiiiiuid  Hmkc 
Fiiirar,  F.  K. 
Farmer,  C  M. 
Faulkner,  Cliarlcs  Janus 
FaiuiuiiT,  Francis 
Faiisset,  Aiulrcw  Rolwit 
Fentouhill,  John 
Ferguson,  Mrs.  Enuna  Henry 
Festetitt.s,Mrs.  Kate  Nci-ly  Hill 
Fewell,  Laura  K. 
Ficklen,  John  Kose 
'•Fielding,   Fannie" 

(SeeStnrges.Mrs.M.J.U.S 
Figg,  R.  \V. 
Fiiiley,  John 
Fishburne,  John  W. 
Fisher,  Get)rge  D. 
Fitz,  J.  W. 
Fitz,  James 
Fitzhugh,  George 
Fitzhugh,  William 
Flagg,  Edniunil 
Fleming,  Lucy  Kandol])h 
Flohr,  George  Daniel 
Flood,  John  H.,  Jr. 
Flovd,  N.  J. 


Fontaine,  Edward 
Fontaine,  Fi-.incis 
Fontaine,  Jame.s 
Fontaine,  Lamar 
Fontaine,  William  Morris 
Foote,  Henry  Stuart 
Foote,  William  Henry 
Ford,  Harry  Clinton 
Forrest,  William  S. 
Fosdick,Mrs.  Gertrude  Christian 
Foster,  H.  V. 
Foster,  Jonathan 
)  Fowler,  (ieorge 
Fowler,  John 
*Fowler,  W.    H. 
Fox,  John  William 
Fox,  Luther  Augustine 
Fre«'ar,  Koln-rt  I^^tuis 
Freemont,  Mrs.  Jessie  Benton 
French,  Benjamin  Franklin 
French,  James  S. 
French,  Mi's.  L.Virginia  Smith 
Fristt)e,  William 
Frith,  (Jill)eit  K. 
Funston.  J.  li. 


O 


Gait,  Jolin  M. 
GarlK-r,  Mrs.  .\ .  W. 
Gardener,  Helen  Hamilton 


Garnett,  Cliarles    F.  M. 
Garnett,  EliwilK-th 
(iarnett,  Jiimes  Merc«T 


(See  Sniarl,  Mrs.  H.H.d.)   Garnett,  James  Mercer  ('^ind) 
Garland,  Hugh  .\.  Garnett,  Ix>uis  A. 

Garlautl,  Landon  Cal>ell  Garnett,  K.  U. 


56 


A  CHECK -LIST   OF  VIEGINIA  "WrEITERS. 


Garrett,  William  Robcrtsou 
Gholsou,  William  Yates 
Gibsou,  Charles  Bell 
Gilbert,  David  McCoiiaugby 
Gildersleeve,  Basil  Laniieau 
*Gilman,  William  S. 
Gilmer,  Francis  Walker 
Giles,  William  Branch 
*Gillis,  B.  W. 

Gilmer,  George  Rockingham 
Gilmer,  John  Harmer 
Giarrdin,  Louis  Hue 
Glasgow,  Ellen  Anderson  Ghol- 

son 
Goode,  George  Brown 
Goode,  Richard  Urquhart 
Goode,  Thomas 
Goodhart,  Briscoe 
Goodwin,  John  S. 
Gordon,  Armistead  Churchill 
Gordon,  James  Lindsay 
Gordon,  John  M. 
Gordon,  Mrs.  John  N. 
Gore,  James  Howard 
Gorgas, Ferdinand  J;us.  Samuel 
Graham,  John 


Granbery,  John  Cowper 
Grantham,  Sir  Thomas 
Gratt^in,  Peachy  Ridgeway 
Grave,  John 
Graves,  Charles  Alfred 
*Gray,  S.  L. 
Green,  Bennett  Wood 
Green,  Lewis  Warner 
Green,  Raleigh  Tiavers 
*Greeu,  Sauford  Moon 
Green,  William 
Green,  Williiun  Bachelder 
Greenhow,  Robert 
Greenway,  J.  R. 
Greer,  David  Hummell 
Greever,  Walton  Harlowe 
Gregory,  Edward  S. 
Griffith,  Robert  Eglesfield 
Grigg,  Jacob 
Grigsby,  Hugh  Blair 
Grimsby,  Daniel  A. 
Guigon,  A.  B. 
Guild,  Josephus  Couu 
Guuter,  Bessie  E. 
Gwathmey,  Emmy  Hendi'en 


Hagan,  J.  M. 
Haines,   Hiram 
Hale,  John  Peter 
Hale,  Nathaniel  Herbert 
Hall,  Everard 
Hall,  John  Leslie 
Hallowell,  Benjamin 
Halsey,  Leroy  Jones 
Halstead,  William  H. 


Hamblet«n,  James  Pinkuey 
Hamilton,  John  William 
Hammond,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Hardy 
Hammond,  John 
Hamor,  Raphe 
Handy,  Isaac  W.  K. 
*Hanna,  J.  Marshall 
Hausborough,  George  W. 
Hardiuge,  Mrs.  Bell  Boyd 


A  OHEOK-LIST   Ol'  VllUMNIA   WUITER.S.  67 

"  Harland,   Marion  "  HcnU-y.  Saiuiii-I 

(See  Terhmie,Mis.M.V.II.  )    ll.imciiian,  Joliii  Hell 

=»=Harlo\v,  B.  F.  Ilciiiy,  I'atriek 

Harper,  liohert   G»)0<II(k>  lloiiry,  William  Wirt 

Harris,  TliDinas  Mealey  Heriidoii,  William  I/- wis 

Harris,  William  Asbiiry  Herriek,  Mi-s.  yt>|(lii»'  Mtllvaine 

Harrison,  Mrs.  Const anee  (.'ary  Bledsoe 

Harrison,  Ciessner  Hersi'y,  John 

Harrison,  James  AlU-it  Hicks,   R4'lM'eea 

Harrison,  Thomas  Hililn-th,  Kup-nins  Augustus 

Harrison,  William  Henry  llildreth,  I'./.ekiel 

Hartshornc,  Joseph  Hill,  Mrs.  Katf  Ne<'ly 

Hartwell,  Henry  (See  Fe.stetilt.s,.Mi-s.K.  N.H.) 

Harvey,  W^illiam  Hope  Hill,  William 
*Hassler,  Ferdinand  Kiidolpli      IIol>s>in,  Marjjaii-I 

Hatch,  Frederick   Wiiisluw  H<>t;e,  Moses 

Hateher,  William   K.  lloj,'«-,   M(tsps  Drury 

Hatehetf,  Mamie  lianikin  Hn^e,  Most-s  Drury,  Jr. 

Haw,  Mary  J.  U<>il*',  IVyton  Harrison 

Hawes,   Herl^Mt    II.  Hoj^e,  William  James 

Hawes,  Mary  V.  Iln-jne,  Addison 

(SeeTerhune,Mrs.M.\'.U.;   llolromU-,  H.-nry 

*Hawley,  John  ti.  Hnlcondic,  .lames  IMiilemon 

Haxall,  Mrs.  K.  B.  Holeombe,  William  Henry 

Hay,  George  Holladay,  .MlM-rt  I^-wis 

Hayden,  Horace  Edwin  Holliday,  Frederick  W.    M. 

Heath,  James  E.  *Holman,   William 

Heath,  Koscoe  B.  Holme.s,  Geor^je  Frederick 

Hendei'son,  James  Holme.s,   H. 

Henderson,  Julia  Putnam  Holt,   John 

Heiidren,  Samuel  Kivers  Hoojter,  Su.saii  KlizalM'th 

Hendrick,   Elijah   H.  U •■r,  FriHh'ri<-k 

Uenint;,  Julia  K.  H.ioper,  T.  W. 

Hening,  William  Waller  Ho|»e,  .Fames  Barron 

Uenkel,  l)a\  id  Horner,  William  ^>lmunll.s 

Heiikel,  Paul  Hoi>ley,  ElizalM-lh 

Henk«l,  Socrate-s  Holehkis.s,  Jctlediah 

Henkle,  .Mos.s  .Montgomery  Hol<hkis.s,  Nelson  H. 


58 


A  CHECK-LIST   OF  VIRGINIA  WRITERS. 


Hott,  James  William 
IIouso,  Haiiiia  A. 
Houston,  Edwin  James 
Houston,  Samuel 
Howard,  Joliu 
Howard,  Overton 
Howe,  James  Lewis 
Howell,  Robert  Boyle  Crawfoi 
Howison,  Robert  Reid 
*Hul)bard,  Robert  B. 
Hughes,  Robert  M. 
Hughes,  Robert  William 
Hume,  Thomas 


Humphreys,  David  Carlisle 
Humphreys,  Jolm  T. 
Humi)hreys,  Milton  Wylie 
Hunter,  Mrs.  Martha  Featon 
Hunt,  Sara  Keables 
Hunt,  Thomas  Poage 
Hunter,  James 
d  Hunter,  John 
Hunter, Robert  Mercer  Taliafeno 
Hurst,  Samuel  N. 
Hutchinson,  John  A. 
Hutter,  Mrs.  Nannie  Laughorue 


I 


Irby,  Richard 


Ives,  Mrs.  Cora  Semmes 


Jacksou,  Mrs.  Mary  Anna  Mor 

rison 
Jacob,  Henry 
Jacobs,  John  Adamson 
Jaegei',  Abraham 
James,  Benjamin 
James,  ('.  F. 

Janney,  Samuel  Macpherson 
Jarratt,  Devereux 
Jetiferson,  Thomas 
.TeH'ries,  Fayette 
Jennings,  Samuel  K. 
Jeter,  Jeremiah  Bell 
Jett,  James 
Johns,  John 

.[ohnson,  Benjamin  Franklin 
Jolmsun.  Blanche  Wynne 


Johnson,  Bradley  Tyler 
Johnson,  F.  B. 
Johuson,  John  Lipscomb 
.Johnson,  Mrs.  Sarah  Barclay 
Johnson,  Thomas  Cary 
Johnson,  William  B. 
.Johnston,  Charles 
Johnston,  Frederic 
Johnston,  Mrs.  Maria  I. 
.John.ston,  Mary 
Johnston,  Joseph  Eggleston 
Johnston,  William  Preston 
Jolil!e,  William 
.Jones,  Buchring  H. 
*Jones,  George  William 
Jones,  Hugh 
Jones,  John  Beaucbamp 


II 


A  CHECK- LIST   OK  VIKfUMA  WUITKKS.  69 

Jones,  Joliu  \Villi:iiii  Jordan,  Mi-s.Conitlia  Jam- Mat 

Jones,  Joseph  llu-ws 

Jones,  Skeltoii  Jordan,  IJiilianl 

♦Jones,  T.  G.  Jordan,  Thomas 

Jones,  Walter  Joyncs,  Kilward  Soulhi-y 

Jones,  Wiley  Joyncs,  William 

Jones,  William  Hitcr  .lulap,  Giles 

Jones.  William  Kiisscll  .liinkin,  (Jeorjje 


Kane,  Elislia  Kent  Kereheval,  Samuel 

Keau,  P.  Kern,  John  A. 

Keau,  R.  G.  H.  *Kernodle,  Peter  J. 

KeiflTer,  Aldine  Sillimun  Kerr,  HoIkmI  l'ollo<k 

Keiley,  Anthony  N.  Key,  Thomas  Hewitt 
Keistei",  Mra.  Fannie  f'arnelix     Kilhy.  L.  Clay 

Keuiper,  James  Ij;iwMon  Koiner,  Absalom 

Kemper,  Willis  Millei-  Koiner,  Mi-s.  Anna  Venable 

Kent,  Charles  W.  Kraut h,  Charles  Portertield 

Kent,  Henry  T.  Kuegele,   Frank 


Lacey,  John  Fletcher  Ij^-e,  Edniuud  Jennings 
Laidley,  Theodore  Thaddeus       Ii<-e,  Fitzhuj;b 

Sobieski  lyee,  Henry 

Lafferty,  John  J.  I>ee,  Henry  (2ud) 

IdU-y,  William  Sterling  Ia-o,  Jesse 

Langhorue,  Mrs.  Orni  Gi'ay  F^ee,  Iv<>roy  Ma«lison 

Laugston,  John  Meicer  Ii«'e,  Uichard   K. 

Liitane,  John  Holliday  Ii«e.  Uichard  Henry 

I^itv-.son,  Thom:us  Iav,  Kichard  Henry  (Jnd) 

Liiy,  Henry  Cliamjiliii  l.ee,  HolM-rt  P^hvard 

Lederer,  John  l^e.  Hannu-1  I'liilips 

Lee,  Arthur  Ia-*',  Mi-s.  Su.s;in  Pendleton 

Lee,  Charles  Carter  Lee.s  T.  J. 

Lee,  Charles  Henry  b-es.-r.   Is;iac 


60 


A  CHECK- LIST   OF  VXEGINIA  WRITEH8. 


Leigh,  Benjamin  Watkins 
Leigh,  Josejih 
Lehmd,  John 
Lewis,  Andrew 
Lewis,  Jolm 
Lewis,  Jolm  (2nd) 
Lewis,  Mrs.  May  McFarlaue 
Lewis,  Merri wether, 
Lewis,  Theodore  Hayes 
Lewis,  Virgil  Anson 
Leybnrn,  John 
Ligon,  William 
Lile,  William  Minor 
Lindsay,  John  Summerfield 
Lindsay,  Margaret  Isalx'lla 
Little,  Archibald  John 


Little,  John  P. 

Littlefield,  Mrs. 

Loehr,  Charles  T. 

Loniax,  John  Tayloe 

Lomax,  Judith 

Long,  Armist€a<l  Lindsey 

Long,  George 

Love,  C. 

Lowe,  John 

Lucas,  Daniel  Bediuger 

Lucius,  Virginia 

Lumsden,  C. 

Lupton,  Nathaniel  Thomas 

Lyford,  W.  G. 

Lyndi,  James  Daniel 

Lynch,  William  Francis 


M 


McBryde,  John  McLaren 
McCabe,  James  Dabney 
McCabe,  James  Dabney,  Jr. 
McCabe,  John  Collins 
McCabe,  William  Gordon 
McCarthy,   Carletou 
McCarthy,  William  Page 
McClellan,  Henry  Brainerd 
MacClelland,  Margaret   Green- 
way 
McClurg,  James 
MacCorkle,  William  Alexander 
*McCorkle,  William  P. 
McCormick,  Henrietta  Hamilton 
McCreery,  John 
MacDonald,  Angus  W. 
McDonald,  Fl()ra  M. 
McDonald,  William  N. 
McElligott,  James  Napoleon 


McEnroe,  William  Hale 
McGill,  John 

McGutt'ey,  William  Holmea 
McGuire,  Hunter  Holmes 
McGuire,   Mr.s.  Judith  Brocken" 

brough 
Mcllhauy,  Hugli  Milton,  Jr. 
Mcllwaine,  Henry  Bead 
McIUwaine,  R.  W. 
McKim,  Randolph  Harrison 
*McLauchlan,  James  A. 
MacLeod,  Daniel 
McMahon,  Richard  Randolph 
McMahon,  Sinu)n  Crew 
MacMahon,  T.  W. 
McPhail,  Mrs.  Clement  Carring- 

ton 
MacQueary,  Howard 
Mcitae,  Sherwiu 


t 


A  CHEt'KlJKT   OKVIKCilNrA    WKITKKK.  «>l 

McShi'rry,  Richard  M.  Matthews,  Jaine.s  M. 

Madison,   Mrs.  Dorothy  M(atth«'\vs),  T(hom:Ls) 

Madison,  Janios  Matthews,  William  B. 

Madison,  James  (2d)  Maury,  Ann  Fontaine 

"Madison,  Virfjinia  "  Maury,  Diduiey  Herndon 

(See  Putnam,  Mi-s.  S.  A.)    Maury.  Matthew  Fontaine 

Magill,  Jlary  Tucker  Maury,  Matthew  Fontaine,  Jr. 

Ma};riider,   Allan  Bowie  JIaury,  Bidiartl  L. 

Mafji'uder,  Jidia  Maury,    Mm.    Sarah    Mylton 
Mahan,  Dennis  Hart  Hiifjlies 

Mahaii,  Milo  Maxwell,  William 

Mallet,  .Tohn  William  Mayer,  (H<'v. ) 

Makemie,  Francis  Mayo,  ,Ios<-pli 

Mallard,  R.  S.  Mayo,  RolM-rt 

Manly,  Loui.so  Mead,  Kdwai-d  <'aMi|>l)ell 

Mann,  Ambrose  Dudley  Mead,  Stith 

Marr,  Mrs.  Janie  Hope  Meade,  Richard  ividdei- 

Marr,  Frances  Harrison  Meade,  William 

Mai-shall,  Alexander  Keith  Mercer,  Charles  Fenton 

Marshall,   Charles  Mercer.   John 

Marshall,  fieor},'e  Mercer,  Marj^aret 

Marshall,    Humphrey  Metcalte,  S;unnel  L. 

Marshall,  John  >.Mi<lianl.  J. 
"Martin,  Edward  Wiiislnw"        Miihie,  'I'lioma-s  Johnson 

(See  McCalH',  J.  D.,  Jr.)       Mitllin.   Warner 

Martin,    Jos»>]di  MilUi-,  Charles  Armand 

Martin,  William  ^Miller,  Lucy  Henry 

Martin,  William   r.rnce  .Mines,  Flavel  S<-ott 

Mason,   Mrs.  Mines,  .lohn 

Ma.son,  Emily  Virj^inia  MinnipMode,  Charles 

Ma.son,  George  Minor,  B<njamin  Blake 

Ma.son,  Richard  Minor,  Charles  h.  C. 

Ma.sou,  Virginia  Minor,  John   Barlx-o 

M;us.sey,  J.  E.  Minor,    Luciaii 

Ma.ssey,  Wiltmr  Fiske  Minor.  Ralpigh  C. 

*Mathews,  H.  M.  Minor,  Mrs. Virginia  Maurj  (H«y 
"  Matilda "(S^t"  E<lwrtrd.s.  Mrs.   Mitchell,  John 

M.  C.  8.)  Mitchell,  John  Kear«ley 


62 


A  CHECK -LIST   OF  VIEGINIA  WRITERS. 


MoDCure,  Mrs.  M.  B. 

Monroe,  James 

Moutclair,  J.  W. 

Montague,  Andrew  Philip 

Monteiro,  A. 

Moore,  Eicliard  (^banning 

Moore,  Thomas  Vernon 

Moore,  William  W. 

Moorman,  John 

Moran,  W.  H.  W. 

Moran,  Mrs.  James  Worniely 

Blackburn 
Moran,  James  Brainerd 
Moran,  William 


Mordecai,  Samuel 
Morris,  Thomas 
Morris,  Thomas  Asbury 
Morris,  Thomas  B. 
Mosby,  Ella  F. 
Mosby,  John  Singleton 
Mosby,  Mrs.  Mary  Webster 
Muir,  James 
Muuford,  George  Wythe 
Munford,   Robert 
Muufoi-d,  William 
Murphy,  Dan 
Mutter,  Eobert  Dent 
Mutter,  Thomas  Dent 


II 


Nadal,  Bernard  Harrison  Nicholson,  Francis 

Nadal,  Ehrnian  Syme  Nixon,  Barnaby 

Nelson,  Thomas,  Jr.  Norris,  J.  E. 

Neville,  Samuel  Norris,  Thaddeus 

Newton,  M.  M.  P.  Norton,  George  Habley 

(See  Stanard,Mr.s.M. M.P.N. l-'Norval,  Leigh  " 
Nicholas,  Robert  Carter  (See  Horsley,  Elizalieth) 

Nichols,  Edward  West  Norwood,  [Col.] 


O 


Ogg,  I\Irs. 
Ogilvie,  James 
Opie,  John  N. 


Otey,  James  Hervey 
Overall,  John  Wilford 
Overton,  John 


Packard,  Joseph 
Page,  James  Moriis 
Page,  John 
Page,  John  (2nd) 


Page,  John  R. 

Page,  John  VV. 

Page,  Richard  Chaiining  Moore 

Page,  Thomas  Jeffersou 


A  CHECK  MKT   OK  VtRCIMA    WKITKKS.  C.i 

Paf?e,  Thomas  Nelson  Plu-lps,  Mrs.  10.  H.   W. 

Piige,  William  I'liilliiis,  William  Fowki-  Rjive- 

Page,  William  Byid  ml 

Painter,  Franklin    Verzolius  Pickett,  Janus  ('. 

Newton  Piikett,  Thonia.s  Kdwanl 

Palmer,  Mrs.  V.  W.  J'it/.er.  Alexatuler  White 

(See  Waddey,  Virginia)  I'leasants,  Mary  M. 

Palmer,  Robert  F.  Plnmer,  William  Swan 

Palmer,  William   Price  Poe,  Caswell  T. 

Parke,  John  Poe,  ICdgar  Allan 

Parke,  Uriah  I'oindexter,  CharleH 

Parker,  W.  W.  Poindexter,  Cieorge 

Parker,  William  Ilarwar  I'uliard,  Kdward  Albert 

Paschall,   Edwin  Pollard,  John 

Patillo,  Henry  Pollard,  John  Oarland 

Patterson,  Camm  Pollard, Marie  Antoinette  Nallia 
Pattison,  W.   N.  lie  Oninier  Dowt'U 

Patton,  John  Mereer,  Jr.  I'ollard,  Thomas 

Patton,  John  S.  Polloek,  A.  1). 

Patton,  William  M.  Pope,  John 

Paxton,  William  McClung  Porter,  I)nV;il 

*Payne,  K.  L.  Port<-r,  John  W.  11. 

Peel's,  Benjamin  Ori-s  Pory,  John 

Peery,  K.  B.  Potts,  John 

Pendleton,  Edmnnd  Powei-s,  Mrs.  A.  H. 

Pendleton,  James  Madison  Powei-s,  William  Dndley 

Pendleton,  William  Nelson  Preston,  George  Jnnkin 

Penick,  Charles  Cliftou  Preston,  John  Thomas  liowis 

Pepper,  John  R.  Preston,  Mrs.  Margaivt  Jnnkin 

Peicy,  George  Pre.ston,  Thoinsus  Ix-wis 

Perdne,  E.  T.  Priee,  James  Cave 

♦Perry,  W.  vS.  Priee,  Thomas  Randolph 

Peters,  Mrs.  M.  Shefley  Prilts,  J. 

Petci-s,  William  E.  *Pryor,  J.  P. 

Peterson,  Peter  Areher  Pulliam,  David  L. 

Petit,  Lizzie  Pnrinton,  Daniel  Itoanlmiin 

(S«'e  (Antler,  Mrs.  L.  P.)  Pnrinton,  (ieorge  Dana 

Peyton,  John  Lcwia  Putiiiau,  Mrs.  Sjirah  A.  Bro<k 


6-1  A  CHECKLIST    OF  VIRGINIA  WRITERS. 

Q 

Quarles,  James  Addison  "Quilp"  (  Sec  Halstead,W.  H.) 

B 


Radford,  R.  S. 
*Ranisay,  F.  P. 
*Ramsey,  James  B. 
Randolph,  Alfred  Magill 
Randolpli,  Cornelia  J. 
Randolph,  E.  A. 
Randolph,  Edmnnd 
Randolph,  Edmund  Jennings 
Randolph,  Hugh 
Randolph,  Tnnes 
Randolph,   [Sir]  John 
Randolph,  John 
Randolph,  Mrs.   Mary 
Randol])h,  Peyton 
Randolph,  Sarah  Nicholas 
Randolph,  Thomas  Jederson 
Randolph,  T.  Thornton 
Ravenscruft,  John  Starke 
Ray,  Joseph 
Raymond,  Waller  M. 
Read,  John  H. 
Reeves,  James  Edmnnd 
Reimeiisnyder, Junius  Benjamin 
Relf,  Samuel 
Reynolds,  J.  L. 
Rice,  David 
Rice,  John  Holt 
Rich,  Richard 
Richardson,  Mis.  H.  H. 
*Richardson,  R. 
Ritchie,  Thomas 


Rives,  Amelio(See  Troubetszkoy 

Princess) 
Rives,  Mrs.  Judith  Page  Walker 
Rives,  William  Cabell 
Roane,  Spencer 
Roberta,  Joseph 
Roberts,  Mrs.  R.  R. 
Robertson,  David 
Robertson,  Harrison 
Robertson,  John 
Robertson,  Mrs.    j\[aitlin 
Ivobcrt.son,  Thomas  IJolling 
Robertson,   W y udham 
Robins,  Mrs.  Sallie  Nelson 
Robinson,   Conway 
Robinson,  Fayette 
Robinson,  John 

Robinson,  Mrs.  Martha  Harrison 
Robinson,  Stuart 
Robson,  John 
Rogers,  Patrick  Kerr 
Rogers,  William  Barton 
Rose,  E.  M.   P. 
Rosenfeld,  Sidney 
R0.S.S,  Fredeiick  Augustus 
Rosser,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Win.ston 
Rosser,  Leonidas 
Rouett,  A.  P. 
Rowan,  Andrew  Summers 
Rowland,  Kate  Mason 
Royall,  Mrs.  Anne 


I 


A  CHECK-LIST   OF  VIR<iI.MA   WRITERS. 


f.5 


Royall,  William  L. 
RufBn.   Edniiiiul 
RnflSn,  Frank  G. 
KufiFner,   Henry 
Ruffner,  William  Henry 
Bumsev,  James 


Russell ,  Frances  K. 
Biiter,  P.  S. 
Riitlierlbr<i,  Jolui  Coles 
Kyals,  John  Vincent 
Kyan,  Abram  Joseph 
Rylaiid,  Kolx-rt 


Safford,  William  Harrison 
Salyards,  Joseph  H. 
Sampson,  Francis  Smith 
Sams,  Conway  Whittle 
Sands,  Alexander  Hamilton 
Sandys,  George 
Saunders,  A.  W..  Jr. 
Saunders.  Cortland 
Scherer,  .1.  A.  H. 
Rchermerhorn,  Martin  Kellog 
Schmidt.  Gnstavns 
fichmucker.  Samuel  Mosheiui 
Schooler,  Samuel 
Scburicht.  Herrmann 
Scott,  A. 
Scott,    Edward 
Scott,  John 
Scott,  W.  W. 
Scott,  William  Cow|»ei 
Scott,  Winfielil 
Scruggs,  Mrs.  Marietta  Virginia 

Steger 
Seamon,  W.  H. 
Seaton,  William  Winston 
Seawell,  Molly  Klliott 
8«lden,  Samuel 
Selden,  William 
Semmes,  Thoma.s  J. 
Semple,  Robert  Baylor 


.Sener,  .lames  I5e\erly 
ShalVner,  Taliaferro  I'reston 
Shaler,  William 
Shearer,  John  Bunyan 
Shearer,  J.  W. 
Shepherd,  Samuel 
Shreve.  Tlu)mas  H. 
Shuck,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Hall 
Shuck,  .lohn  I^wis 
Shnte,  Daniel  Kerfoot 
♦Simonton.  Charles  H. 
Sims,  .\le.\ander  Dromgoole 
Sims.  Edward  Droiugcmle 
Sizer.  .Julia  .lns*-phiiu' 
Slaughter,  riiilij) 
Slaugliter.  William  IJank 
Sleuker,  Mi-s.  Elmina  Dnike 
Smart,     Mrs.     Helen     Hamilton 

Gardener 
Smecles,  Mrs.  Susin  l)al>uey 
Smiley.  .Matilda  C. 

(See  P>lwar<lsMi-s.  M.  C.  S.  ) 
Smith,  Augustine  Mea«lp 
Smith,  I{«'njaniin  Mosliy 
Smith.  Daniel 
Smith,  Danicd  i  2nd  i 
Smith,  Edward  F?. 
Smith,  FninciM  nenn»*y. 
Smith,  George  U. 


66 


A  CHECK-LIST    OF  VIRGINIA  WRITEES. 


Smith,  Humphry 

Smith,  J.  Liiwreuce 

Smith,  Johu 

Smith,  John  Augustine 

Smith,  John  Bhiir 

Smith,  Mrs.  Margaret  Vowell 

Smith,  Mrs.  Mary  Stuai-t  Harri- 
son 

Smith,  Meade 

Smith,  Richard  Meade 

Smith,  Samuel  Stanhope 

Smith,  Mrs.  Sarah  Henderson 

Smith,  W.  R.  L. 

Smith,  William  Andrew 

Smith,  William  Waugh 

Smithdeal,  George  Michael 

Smithey,  Royal  Bascom 

Smothers,  S.  H. 

Smyth,  Alexander 

Smyth,  John  Ferdinand  D. 

Snead,  Martha  G.  Tillman 

Snead,  Thomas  Lowndes 

Snowden,  David  Harold 

Snowden,  W.  H. 

*Snyder,  W. 

"Somerville,  Lorenzo" 

(See  Humphreys,  John  T. ) 

Southall,  James  Cocke 

Spalding,  J.  W. 

Sparrow,  William 

Speece,  Conrad 

Speece,  Frederick 

Spelmau,  Henry 

Spence,  Walter 

Spencer,  Thomas 

Spotswood,  Alexander 

Spotswood,  Johu  B. 


Sprigg,  D.  F. 

Stanard,  Mrs.  M.  M.  P.  Newton 

Stanard,   W.  G. 

Stanton,  Frederic  Perry 

Stanton,  Henry  Thompson 

Stanton,  Richard  Henry 

Starke,  Richard 

Steel,  George  McKendree 

Stephenson,  James  White 

Sterling,  Richard 

Sterrett,  John  Douglas 

Stcrrett,  John  Robert  Sitlington 

Stevens,  Walter  Le  Conte 

Stewart,  Austin 

Stewart,  Ferdinand  Campbell 

Stiles,  Lelia  Caperton 

Stirewalt,  J.  P. 

Stith,  WiUiam 

Stobs,  Robert 

Stockard,  Henry  Jerome 

Stone,  Ormond 

Strachey,  William 

Straker,  D.  A. 

Strange,  Robert 

Stratton,  R.  B. 

Striugfellow,  Thorton 

Strother,  David  Hunter 

Strother,  John 

Stuai't,  Alexander  Hugh  Holmes 

Stubbs,  William  Carter 

Sturges,  Mrs.  Mary  Jaue  Upshur 

Stith 
Suit,  Pleasant 
Swank,  William  A. 
Swart/,,  Joel 
Sweeny,  Talbott 


A  CHECKLIST   OF  VIROIXIA  WEITEKS. 

T 


Tabb,  John  Baiiistpr 
Tait,'Johii  K. 
Taliaferro,   John 
Tallev.  Susiiu  Archer 


Thornton,  J.  I)ouKla.s.s 
Thornton,  James  Hankhead 
Thornton.  Jessy  C^iiinn 
Thornton,  Thonuus  V. 


(See  Weiss,  Mrs.  S.  A.  T.)  Tiilball,  John  Caltlweil 


Tate,  Benjamin 

Tate,  Joseph 

Tatham,  William 

Taylor,  Charles  Elisha 

Taylor,  Creed 

Taylor,  Georj^e  Boardnian 

Taylor,  James  Barnetl 

Taylor,  .Tohn 

Taylor,   John   (2nd) 

Taylor,  Walter  Uerrou 

Taylor,   William 

Taylor,  Yardley 

Taylor,  Zaehary 

Tazewell,  Littleton  Waller 

Tenuent,  John 

Terhune,  Mrs.  Mary  Virginia 

Hawes 
*Teu.sler,  Mme.  M.   J. 
Thayer,  Martin  Kus.sell 


Tidball,  Mrs.  Mary  Langdon 

Tidball,  Thomas  Allen 

Tillett,   Francis 

Tindall,  P.  B. 

Tompkin.son,  Henry 

Totteu,  Silas 

Toy,  Ci-awlord  Iluwell 

Traylor,  itobert  Ix-e 

Trent,  William  Peterljeld 

Ti-iplett,  William  U. 

Trist,  NichohLS  Philip 

Trouln-tM/.koy,  .Mi-s.  Anielie  Rives 

Clianler,  I'rince.ss 
Tucker,  David  Holmes 
Tucker,  George 
Tucker,  Henry  Saint  George 
Tucker,  Henry  St.  George  (2d) 
Tucker,  John  Kandolph 
Tucker,  I>-na  H. 


Theta''(See  Hendei-son. J.P.)  Tucker,  Nathaniel 


Thom,  William  Tayloi 

Thoma.s,  Hiram   Wiusiiington 

Thomas,  Howell  L. 

Thoniius  J. 

Thomas,  K.  S. 

Thomjjson,    Cieorge  W. 

Thompson,  John  Keul)en 

Tliomi)s()n.  Hich'd  Wiggington   Turner,  William  Ma.>son 

Thomson.  J«>ii"  Tnrpin,  John  B. 

Thom.son.   William  Tyler,   John 

Thornton,  Gu.stavus  Brown  Tyler,  Jaiue.-^  Uoge 


Tucker,  Nathaniel  Ii«'verly 
Tucker,  S;iint  George 
Tucker,  Saint  (Jeorge  (2d) 
Tucker,  Saint  George  (3d) 
Tunstiill,  Nannie  W. 
TupiH-r,  Henry  Allen 
Turley,  Preston  S. 


68 


Tjicr,  Lyon  Gardiner 
Tyler,  Robert 


A  CHECK -LIST   OF  VIRGINIA  WEITEES. 

Tyree,  Mrs.  Marion  Cabell 


U 


Upshur,  Mary  ,Taue  Upshur,  Abel  Parker 

(See  Sturf;es.  Mrs.  M.  J.U.  S.)   Uruer,  Clarence  H. 


Vail,  Thomas  Hubbard 
Vanghan,  George  Tnlley 
Vaughau,  Mrs.  S.  A. 
Vawter,   Bransl'ord 
Veuable,  Charles  Seott 


Venable,  Anna 

(See  Koiner,  Mrs.  A.  V. ) 
Venable,  Francis  Preston 
"Viola" 

(See  Downing,  Mrs.  F.  M. ) 


W 


Waddel,  John  N. 

Waddell,  Joseph  Alexander 

Waddey,  Virginia 

Walke,  Heuiy 

Walker.  Alexander  Joseph 

Walker,  Charles  I). 

Walker,  Cornelius 

Walker,  Thomas 

Wall,  H. 

Waller,   A. 

Walton,  William  Claiborne 

Ward, Mrs. Lydia  Avery  Connie 

Ward,  Robert  1). 

Warder,  T.  B. 

Ware,  James 

Ware,  Thomas  A. 

Warner,  Zebedee 

Warren,  Edward 


Warroelc,  John 
*  Wash  bu  1-11,  Cephas 
Washington,  Booker  Taliaferro 
Wiushington,  Bushrod 
Wa.shington,  George 
Washington,  Henry  Augustine 
Washington,   Lawrence 
Watkins,  John  Elfreth 
Wauchope,  George  Armstrong 
Webb,  George 
Webster,  M.  M. 
y         (See  Mosby,  Mrs.  M.  W.) 
Webster,  Nathan  Burnham 
Weems,  Mason  Locke 
Weidemeyer,  John  William 
Weiss, Mrs.  Su.san  Archer  Talley 
*Wesson,  W.  H. 
West,  Albert  L. 


A  CHECK-LIST   OK  VIRGINIA  WKITEHX. 


69 


Westeott,  Edith  C. 
Whai'ey,  Jaiiu's 
Whartou,  Heury  M. 
Wharton,   John 
Whartou,  Moiton  Bryan 
Wliitaker,  Alexan(UM- 
Whitaki-r,  Maiy  S.  Furnian 
Whitakt-r,  Nathaniel 
White,  Heury  Ah-xantter 
White,  Heury  M. 
White,  Hugh 
White,  Isiuel  Charles 
White,  Robert 
White,  Robert  Bak.-r 
White,  William  kS. 
Whitehead,  Thomas 
Whittet,  Robert 
Whittlesey,  Sarah  J.  C. 
Wiekhaui,  John 
Wight,  Euiuia  Howard 
Wilkinson,  John 
Will,  Allen  .Sinelaii 
Willey,  Waitiuan  Thomas 
Williams,  Charles  C. 
Williams,  Edwai-d 
Williamson,  James  J. 
Williams,  John   \\ilsoii  Mout- 

gomery 
Williamson,  Mary  Lynn  Harri 

son 
Williamsou,  Minnie  \\'. 
Williamson,  Thomas  H. 
Willis,  Byrd  Charles 
Willis,  Heury   Parker 
Willoughby,  We.stel  Wooilbnrv 
Willoughby,  William  Fnmklin 


Wilmer,  Hichard  Hooker 
Wilmer,  William  Holland 
Wilson,  Jost'ph  T. 
Wilson,  Thomas  Woodrow 
Wingliehl,  Ivlwin  Maria 
Winkler,  Mi-s.  A.  V. 
Winston,  Anne  .St«'ger 
Winston,  Nannie  B. 
Wirt,  Mi-s.    l-;ii/.abeth    Wa-shing 

ton  (iauible 
Wirt,  William 
Wise,  Barton  Haxall 
Wise,  tieorge 
Wistr,  Henry  Alexau(U'r 
Wis4',  John  Sergeant 
Witliei-s,  Alexander  Seott 
WitheiTipoou,  Theodore  Dwight 
Wolfe,  (Judge) 
Wolfl",  Bernard  Crou.sj- 
Wood,  Annie  C. 
Woo<l,  Charles  Parke 
Wood,  Mrs.  Jean  Moneure 
Wood,  .lohn 

Wood,  ThouKLs  Ijongstreet 
Woodrow,  Fredi  iek 
Woods,    Kdgar 
Woods,  Katheriiie  Pearson 
Woodward.  Augustus  B. 
Wormley,  Ariaua  Handolph 
Wormley,  Mary  Kli/.al>eth 
Wreun,  Margaret    Breekenridge 
Wright,  Mrs.  Sarah  Anna 
Wynne,  Thomas  Hieks 
Wyth,  John 
Wythe,  George 


Youug,  Loyal 


I 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWEI 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


29Nov'6iKL 


Kt.C-D  LD 


DEC    1  'm\ 


I  21A-50m-8.'61 
■1795sl0)476B 


General  Library 

Uaivenity  of  California 

Berkeley 


814947 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  LIBRARY 


